World Health Organization announces expert consultation meeting March 2-3, 2020 in Geneva to inform new report on human health risks from exposure to microplastics in environment; applications due January 19, 2020
EFSA: Work plan for 2017 and beyond
EFSA Management Board plans authority’s work for the coming years; EFSA to continue ongoing projects, develop guidance for risk assessment, review independence policy and increase stakeholder engagement in 2017
Ecorys report on evaluation of FCM legislation
European Commission publishes final report developed by consultancy Ecorys on ongoing evaluation of food contact material (FCM) legislation; identifies lack of harmonization across many materials, incoherent risk management measures across legislation; finds that health benefits of the legislation outweigh it costs
Reusable coffee to go cups
German environmental organization Deutsche Umwelthilfe hosts workshop and evening seminar on November 15, 2016 focusing on reusable alternatives for single-use coffee to go cups
Enameled grill racks release metals
German risk assessment institute evaluates migration of 10 metals from grill racks and trays; some products released considerable quantities of aluminum, antimony, arsenic, nickel
Walmart evaluates its chemical footprint
Walmart becomes first retailer to participate in Chemical Footprint Project survey, measuring its use and reduction of chemicals of concern
Mineral oils in oat flakes
German consumer magazine tests oat flakes for contaminants, finds flakes tainted with mineral oils
Opinion: EDC decision matrix not suitable
CHEM Trust analyzes “option 4b” to identify EDCs as proposed by German risk assessment institute and considers method as not adequate to set EDC criteria
Jane Muncke
Managing Director and Chief Scientific Officer
Lower PAH concentrations recommended
German Federal Office for Risk Assessment (BfR) recommending polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentration of < 0.2 mg/kg in consumer products; criteria to inform voluntary safety standard