EU Commissioner speaks on chronic diseases and ways to prevent them; announces launch of EU health policy platform intended to enable a broad stakeholder dialogue
EC’s proposal undermines EDC bans
EU Commission proposes changing derogation conditions for endocrine disrupting pesticides from ‘negligible exposure’ to ‘negligible risk’; this undermines hazard-based approach of pesticide legislation, NGOs say, calling for transparent discussion involving EU Parliament and Council
Styrofoam ban discussed in Jamaica
Editorial in The Gleaner discusses a potential ban of plastic and styrofoam food containers in Jamaica
Study on alternatives to laminate packaging
Dutch Knowledge Institute for Sustainable Packaging (KIDV) publishes study on recyclable alternatives to laminate materials in food packaging; finds direct replacement difficult, design changes needed
Estrogenicity assessment of novel can coating
New scientific study describes absence of estrogenicity of tetramethyl bisphenol F, a monomer for novel can coatings; tests with can coating extracts support this finding
International summer school on EDCs
Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine to host summer school on endocrine disruption research on August 25-31, 2019; aims to support PhD and postdoctoral researchers
Vermont and California legislation on single-use packaging
Bills in both states aim to curb the use of single-use packaging and products; Vermont bans polystyrene packaging, plastic bags, straws; California to reduce waste from single-use packaging and products by 75%, require recyclability or compostability
Science publishes special issue on “Our Plastics Dilemma”
American Association for the Advancement of Science publishes special journal issue on plastics; includes reviews, perspectives, and news on various components of the plastics value chain; particular focus on waste management technologies that may contribute to a circular plastics economy, effects of plastic pollution on animals and the environment, support for a UN agreement on plastics
FSANZ: No risk from food packaging chemicals
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) completes assessment of chemical migration from packaging into food, finds exposures ‘low and unlikely to pose a public health and safety concern,’ plans to develop information guide for businesses to support risk management
New York: Business owners oppose polystyrene ban
ACC reports on opposition of restaurant owners to proposed polystyrene ban, business viability at risk