Updated meeting minutes of EFSA’s CEF Panel working group on recycling plastics now available online
Chemicals in plastics and obesity
U.S. researchers discuss contribution of exposure to endocrine disruptors to metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes
EFSA study: Bioaccumulation and toxicity of mineral oils
New EFSA scientific study tests different mixtures of mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH), relevant to human diet, in rats; bioaccumulation at low dose MOSH exposure in humans possibly underestimated; MOSH appear persistent in adipose tissue
Why fish mistake plastic for food
New study provides evidence that fish eat plastic debris because it acquires the smell of their food when residing in the ocean
New technology to assess BPA alternatives
New study presents technology to test substances for biological activity, finds BPA analogues to interact with estrogen receptors
Plastic waste trapped in arctic ice
Researchers find high levels of plastic particles in arctic ice, may be released with global warming
Forever Pollution Project maps Europe’s PFAS contamination
Media collaboration evaluates Europe’s contamination by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS); maps 17,000 known and 21,000 presumed contamination sites; ChemSec launches PFAS guide for companies
EFSA working group on FCMs: 24th meeting
Updated meeting minutes of EFSA’s CEF Panel working group on FCMs now available online
India: Stronger recycled plastic rules after push back, new EPR program
India implements extended producer responsibility (EPR) program for plastic packaging, effective immediately; recycling targets for plastic producers, importers, and brand-owners start at 25% and progressively get stricter; Indian standards authority strengthens regulations for recycled plastic in food contact after receiving pushback
Conjugated BPA is biologically active
New study by Health Canada questions key assumption of bisphenol A risk assessment, shows obesogenic properties of allegedly “detoxified” food contact substance