As the first meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiation Committee of the UN Global Treaty to End Plastic Pollution approaches, publications highlight the diverse effects the plastics supply chain has on human health and the environment, particularly the burden on vulnerable communities
UNEP calls for integrated chemical management
UN Environment Assembly adopts resolutions on chemicals and waste, plastics debris and microplastics, and 14 other topics
UK recycling and waste management conference
Exhibition and conference on recycling and waste management to take place on September 12-13, 2018, in Birmingham, UK; focus on plastic waste problems
The Globe and Mail article on human microplastics exposure
Author Rick Smith describes experiment carried out on himself with University of Rochester to identify uptake of microplastics in his diet; article discusses unknowns and concerns held by scientific experts, criticizes increased plastic use during COVID-19 pandemic
Opinion: Shift burden of proof to manufacturers
The Hill commentary suggests shifting burden of proof to manufacturers; stresses the need for protection of vulnerable subpopulations under reformed TSCA
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
Microplastics in placentas: occurrence, sources, and effects
Three studies on microplastics and the human placenta; demonstrate particle presence in several intracellular compartments of placentas for the first time; assume breastfeeding and plastic toy usage as microplastic exposure sources to lactating infants; associate placental plastics with reduced fetal growth
Harmonizing human and ecological risk assessment of mixtures
EFSA gathers international experts to debate exposures to chemical mixtures
Modeling chemicals in the human body
New strategy by EU Lab for Alternatives to Animal Testing focuses on computational models for chemical behavior in humans; supports steps to phase out animal testing
What knowledge is missing to derive a microplastic threshold value?
Microplastic experts review mammalian in vivo effect studies and develop non-regulatory health-based screening level value for microplastics in drinking water; scientists provide research recommendations to better understand microplastic toxicity, effect levels, and potential health risks to humans and aquatic ecosystems; review discusses nanoplastics’ role in food allergy