EU reference laboratory for FCMs publishes report on interlaboratory comparison exercise to determine metal migration from decorated ceramic and glass tableware
Plastics identified as source of legal liability
Minderoo Foundation finds liabilities from the health and environmental effects of microplastics and plastic-related chemicals to be worth more than $20 billion in the US by 2030; potentially up to $100 billion in liabilities expected by 2030 with the number expected to increase in the future; article published by the American Bar Association focuses on potential corporate liabilities from micro- and nanoplastics in particular
Sweden identifies PFAS as priority risk area
Annual evaluation published by Swedish Environmental Protection Agency summarizes efforts made towards achieving non-toxic environment by 2020, highlights per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as priority chemical risk area
Identifying Opportunities to Understand, Control, and Prevent Exposure to PFAS
PFAS research snapshot Q4 2023: presence, migration, health concerns, and regrettable substitution
Scientists detect two per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in plastic food storage bags; study assesses PFAS in 119 single-use food packaging and tableware samples from around the world and detectes PFAS in 54%; two reviews raise awareness of PFAS impact on human liver health and safety issues connected with the PFAS substitutes – polyfluoroalkyl phosphate esters (PAPs); scientist calls for more research to assess combined environmental effect of microplastics and PFAS
Study finds PFAS in 100% of sampled breastmilk
Environmental Science and Technology publishes study in which 100% of milk samples from breast-feeding mothers contained at least one of 39 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS); Phased-out PFOS and PFOA were most abundant compounds but currently used short-chain PFAS such as PFHpA and PFHpA detected in majority of samples and becoming more common; The Guardian reports chemical companies hid risks about short-chain PFAS in food packaging
EDF tool identifies chemicals of concern by food contact material type
Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) launches web tool to help companies identify which chemicals of concern may be in their packaging or used within their supply chain; Users can search for a specific piece of packaging or equipment to find all potential hazardous chemicals, or search for a single chemical to find all the types of packaging that chemical may be used in
FPF Workshop 2019: Doubt is their product
David Michaels explains how ‘manufactured scientific uncertainty’ is used to delay regulatory actions on harmful products
EFSA assessment of substance for food preparation surfaces
Panel publishes safety assessment of ‘phosphoric acid, mixed esters with 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate’; finds no safety concern when used as co-monomer up to set concentration, often used in manufacture of kitchen sinks and countertops
Benchmarking in vitro toxicity of plastics
Scientists investigate in vitro toxicity and chemical composition of plastic consumer products made of different polymers; high baseline toxicity of polylactic acid (PLA) bioplastics; food contact status does not necessarily imply lower toxicity