A study by scientists from the New York University’s School of Medicine published in September 2012 found elevated levels of a common food contact substance, bisphenol A (BPA), to be associated with a higher risk for being overweight in children and adolescents. The study used nationally representative data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) study collected in 6 to 19 year old US inhabitants. The study’s design does not permit conclusions regarding causation, however biological plausible explanations of how BPA may cause overweight or obesity do exist, making the study relevant and highlighting the need for further research.
Plasticizer contents evaluated in coffee powder and coffee
Comparison of plasticizer levels in coffee powder and brewed coffee from capsules, pods and mocha pots
New FPF report: Dietary intake of BPA in the US
Researchers identified canned vegetables as a major contributor to adult BPA exposure through food
Baby foods as dominant pathway for infant exposure to antioxidants
Targeted analysis demonstrates widespread contamination of Chinese baby foods with traditional and novel antioxidants; plastic food packaging identified as one source; prevalent and high migration of 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol from different types of plastics
Scientists evaluate inhaled microplastics
Report microplastics occur in lower airways of European citizens with the majority being fibers; evaluate microplastics indoor and outdoor exposure sources; work out established particle domains and paradigms can help predict toxicity of inhaled microplastic particles
Review of ingestion of microplastics
Literature review estimates 20% of sampled aquatic organisms have microplastics in stomach and intestines, average of 4 microplastic particles per organism; call for urgent standardization of analytical methods
Second study finds microplastics in human placenta
Clinical study investigates 10 microplastic types in human placenta and meconium; detects polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyurethane in the samples; highlights that evaluation and control of potential contamination is crucial
Plastic packaging industry discusses current challenges
Food Contact Plastics Seminar 2018 addresses EU plastics strategy, bioassays, Chinese FCM legislation, developments in EU FCM regulations
EU environment committee votes on plastics strategy
EU Parliament’s Environment Committee supports EU Commission’s overall plans for plastics in circular economy, suggests further measures on microplastics, single-use plastics, hazardous chemicals
New method to identify set-off migration of printing inks
New method allows identifying migration of photoinitiators, certain photoinitiators and darker colors are more susceptible to set-off migration