San Francisco supervisors back ban of plastic bottles on public grounds
Reusable take-away food packaging outperforms single-use in greenhouse gas emissions, report says
Zero Waste Europe investigates CO2 emissions of reusable and single use take-away packaging; models suggest that switching to reuse results in less emissions for most packaging; includes number of rotations and return rates to reach breakeven point
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
Microplastics: linkage to the gut's microbiome and autism spectrum disorder
Scientific study reports that gut passages change polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microplastics morphology and alter human microbial colonic community composition; another study finds polyethylene (PE) microplastics to accumulate in the brain and induce autism spectrum disorder-like symptoms using a mouse model
Implementation of EDC criteria for biocides
EU biocides authorities settle how criteria to identify endocrine disruptors for biocides will be realized; criteria to apply from June 7, 2018; ECHA and EFSA prepare final guidance document
Measuring plastic particles released from food packaging and in human lungs
Scientists investigate plastic particles released from store-bought food packaging as well as human and mice health impacts of exposure; report single-use plastic products release >1012 nano-sized particles during use; find microplastics to suppress lysosomal activity in mouse macrophages; first detection of microplastics within human lung tissue samples; in vitro neurotoxicity study finds microplastics negatively impact human forebrain organoid development
In vitro testing of paper and board FCMs
Scientists test paper and board FCMs in 8 in vitro bioassays; all 20 samples showed positive responses in at least one of the assays; chemicals in paper and board FCMs require further investigation to ensure safety
Vote on EDC criteria again postponed
EU Commission’s PAFF Committee discusses EDC criteria but refrains from vote; Member States still in disagreement over Commission’s latest proposal; no new meeting scheduled yet
Vote on EDC criteria scheduled
Next meeting of EU Commission and Member States on revised criteria to identify endocrine disrupters to take place on May 17-18, 2017; vote foreseen despite persisting concerns
Monomers migrate from plastics, some are EDCs
In a comprehensive review, researchers from the University of South Africa discuss the monomer migration from plastic food packaging, focusing on known endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs); migration process, potential health impacts discussed