Scientist criticizes undifferentiated negative discourse on chemicals
Sulfated BPA a major metabolite in fetal blood
Scientists measure BPA metabolites and BPA alternatives in paired maternal and fetal cord blood; find low but significant levels of BPS; fetus’ level of total BPA metabolites higher than mother’s; BPA-sulfate higher than BPA-glucuronide
Microplastics are ‘everywhere’
U.S. radio station WBUR summarizes challenges and issues related to microplastics pollution
A novel concept for improved safety assessment of FCMs guided by public health concerns
Over 20 scientists present a vision for safer food contact materials (FCMs); propose new approach to test all chemicals that migrate from final product for their contribution to highly prevalent chronic diseases
EU bans recycling of materials containing PBDEs
EU withdraws exemption under Stockholm Convention that allowed recycling of materials containing the brominated flame retardants tetrabromodiphenyl ether (tetraBDE) and pentabromodiphenyl ether (pentaBDE)
BPA and analogues: Multiple targets and effects
Scientists highlight BPA’s interactions with multiple molecular targets besides estrogen receptor; growing body of evidence demonstrates similar pleiotropic actions of BPA substitutes such as BPS, BPF, BPAF and others
China criticized for screening packaged foods for coronavirus
China finds coronavirus on food packaging from 20 countries, restricts the import of food products, does not share lab results; attracts criticism from trade partners that demand end to restriction, more information on used testing methods; World Trade Organization (WTO) meeting to reconcile conflict not successful
Replacing BPA can coatings
Del Monte Foods switches to non-BPA food can linings in the course of 2016
Ultra-processed food intake can increase human exposure to phthalates and microplastics
Two studies analyzed ultra-processed foods for phthalates and microplastics; report that consumption of ultra-processed foods and fast food during pregnancy increases exposure to phthalates; link lower socioeconomic status to increased ultra-processed food consumption and phthalate exposure; find highly-processed protein products in the US to contain significantly more microplastics than minimally-processed products; hypothesize plastic processing equipment to be one main source
Obesity and chemicals
Scientists analyze NHANES data from 1971-2008, find changing relationship between caloric intake, physical activity, and obesity; suggest additional factors, such as chemical exposure, may contribute to obesity epidemic