OECD eChemPortal now offers better access to chemical GHS classifications
News Article
June 22, 2015
News Article
February 9, 2024
Studies review human exposures and effects of micro- and nanoplastics
Three studies investigate micro- and nanoplastics – source, organ deposition, and reproductive effects; detect up to 240,000 plastic particles/L in bottled water with 90% being nanoplastics; find microplastics in human lung, intestine, and kidney tissues; polyethylene particles found to affect placental function in mice
News Article
May 18, 2023
EFSA seeks data on plasticizers in food contact materials
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) calls for data on migration and occurrence of plasticizers, such as phthalates, in food contact materials (FCMs); aims to gather migration data to assess dietary exposure and enhance the safety of FCMs; national food authorities, research institutions, and food businesses are invited to submit data by August 31, 2023
Publication
Book chapters
June 1, 2017
Food contact materials: Practices, agencies and challenges
2014, In: Toxicants in Food Packaging and Household Plastics: Exposure and Health Risks to Consumers. Editor: Snedeker S.M.; Springer Verlag London, pages 265-297.
News Article
May 17, 2021
Study finds PFAS in 100% of sampled breastmilk
Environmental Science and Technology publishes study in which 100% of milk samples from breast-feeding mothers contained at least one of 39 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS); Phased-out PFOS and PFOA were most abundant compounds but currently used short-chain PFAS such as PFHpA and PFHpA detected in majority of samples and becoming more common; The Guardian reports chemical companies hid risks about short-chain PFAS in food packaging
News Article
May 31, 2022
EDF tool identifies chemicals of concern by food contact material type
Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) launches web tool to help companies identify which chemicals of concern may be in their packaging or used within their supply chain; Users can search for a specific piece of packaging or equipment to find all potential hazardous chemicals, or search for a single chemical to find all the types of packaging that chemical may be used in
News Article
September 26, 2022
Microplastic exposure through drinking cups and human health impacts
Study finds up to 6000 particles/L to be released from disposable drinking cups; scientists estimate humans ingest 37,613–89,294 microplastics through plastic cups use per year; study suggests consumption from plastic containers changes human gut and oral microbiota composition; review concludes that uptake of microplastics carrying pathogens may impact human health
News Article
April 18, 2024
Flame retardants above regulatory limits in some ‘eco-friendly’ baking papers
Study of bio-based food contact articles made of sugarcane bagasse or cellulose wood pulp labelled “natural”, “compostable”, or “biodegradable” finds PFAS and organophosphate esters (OPEs), a type of flame retardant and plasticizer; concentrations highest in baking papers; though purchased in Italy, some OPEs above EU regulatory concentration limit of 0.01 mg/kg
News Article
November 2, 2020
Study maps global uses of PFAS
Researchers publish peer-reviewed study identifying over 200 use categories and subcategories for more than 1,400 individual per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS); finds the substances are used in almost all industry sectors and many consumer products; calls for public release of usage data
News Article
May 23, 2023
Review finds hundreds of chemicals migrating from recycled and reusable plastic FCMs
Scientists detect 509 food contact chemicals in plastic food contact materials (FCMs) made for reuse; 853 chemicals identified in recycled PET; study points out key knowledge gaps in available hazard data for frequently detected chemicals
