Life cycle assessment study commissioned by American Chemistry Council finds packaging plastics to have more favorable environmental profile than alternatives made of glass, metal, paper, textile, wood
EFSA’s activities on emerging risks
European Food Safety Authority publishes report summarizing activities related to emerging risk identification in 2018; considers food contact additives and related challenges of substituting materials
EDC criteria awaited
CHEM Trust summarizes events surrounding the setting of EDC criteria in the EU; proposes science-based criteria considering endocrine mode of action linked to adverse effect; potency should not be included in criteria
Method for measuring nanoparticles
Scientific publication details new method for measuring the precise dose of nanomaterials in cells and fluids, important advancement for risk assessment of entire material class
FDA bans 2 more perfluorinated substances
Two perfluoroalkyl containing oil and water repellents can no longer be used in paper and board FCMs in the U.S.; petition to FDA claimed the substances’ use has been abandoned
Study finds lack of data on PFAEs
Report from Nordic Council of Ministers reviews public information available for per- and polyfluoroalkylether substances (PFAEs); identifies 394 substances, find more than half do not exist in public chemical databases; limited data on identity, production, and uses
Study warns of perchlorate effects
Scientists led by Vanderbilt University and the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine identify mechanism perchlorate uses to block iodine uptake in thyroid cells, argue pollution in drinking water more dangerous than previously thought
Key characteristics of carcinogens
Scientists propose ten key characteristics of carcinogens to be used as a basis for organizing and evaluating mechanistic data collected in support of hazard identification
Health risks of ‘BPA-free’ baby bottles
Scientists evaluate health risks of migrants from ‘BPA-free’ baby bottles made of PP, PA, PES, silicone, Tritan™, stainless steel; silicone bottle, several PP bottles of ‘high concern’; Tritan™ bottle, several more PP bottles of ‘concern’
Multi-criteria framework to prioritize polymers of concern
Scientists develop holistic conceptual framework to characterize and rank the environmental risks of plastic polymers; tool can support targeted investment and mitigation strategies