Health & Environment article outlines debate around 2012 WHO/UNEP report on EDCs; discusses value of state-of-the-science reviews and need for systematic review methods in complex research problems
Properties of rPET-containing bottles
Scientists examine effects of recycled PET (rPET) on bottles’ properties, propose generic model to calculate acceptable rPET content for different scenarios; bottles from mono-collection systems have less particle contamination, more favorable optical properties, lower accumulation of contaminants, and therefore recommended to allow higher recycled content
Environmental toxicity of nanomaterials
German Environment Agency releases reports on aquatic toxicity and environmental fate of nanomaterials
ECHA: Guidance on REACH registration of nanomaterials
European Chemicals Agency publishes and updates several guidance documents for REACH registration of nanomaterials
Toolbox for nanomaterial safety assessment
JRC develops inventory of tools for assessing nanomaterial safety; toolbox freely accessible on JRC’s website
EU observatory for nanomaterials now online
ECHA launches European Union Observatory for Nanomaterials website; provides information on nanomaterials on the EU market for consumers, workers, regulators, and scientists
Modeling nanoparticles in the environment
Dutch institute for public health and environment releases computational model to determine concentrations of nanoparticles in the environment
EU symposium: Nanomaterials in food and FCMs
EU Commission and Member States discuss nanomaterials in food and food contact materials; summary report available
EPA puts LVE submissions for PFAS on hold
US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announces new strategy for reviewing and managing low volume exemption (LVE) requests of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) before they can enter the market; puts pending and new submissions for PFAS on hold, strives for more thorough review, wants to work with companies on voluntary withdrawals
Proposal to allow easier removal of US FDA notifications
Amendment to current regulations would allow US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to withdraw food contact notifications (FCNs) for reasons other than safety; creates pathway for companies to de-list substances they no longer manufacture