Scientific study investigates effect of plasticizer exposure during pregnancy on thyroid function; outcomes suggest several phthalate metabolites disrupt thyroid hormone levels; finds association of phthalate-alternative DINCH with thyroxine levels
Web-based intervention reduces EDC exposure levels
Scientists design a web-based behavioral intervention to reduce endocrine disruptor exposure in mothers with young children; involves educational videos and games to affect diet, product use, and other habits; study finds one-month intervention significantly lowers urinary concentration of bisphenol A, triclosan, parabens, and phthalate metabolites
US CDC releases updated biomonitoring data
New set of data tables from US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) published in four volumes; includes human exposure data for persistent organic pollutants, pesticides, and a focus on exposures of adult cigarette smokers; over 70 new chemicals measured including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
2nd Annual Forum on Endocrine Disruptors
Event brings together EU government agencies, research institutions, stakeholders to discuss endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs); program includes presentations, panel discussions, advances in testing methods, actions on EDCs in the ‘Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability ‘
Survey asks EU-citizens for perspective on biomonitoring
The European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU) publishes survey on biomonitoring and chemical exposure; available in 20 languages; open until December 31, 2020
ZWE biomonitoring detects phthalates, bisphenols
Zero Waste Europe (ZWE) publishes results of analyzed urine samples from 52 European decision-makers and public figures; tests for 28 chemicals commonly used in single-use plastic food packaging, shows average of 20 detected in each person; calls for decision-makers to prioritize public exposure to food contact chemicals
High PFAS blood levels in German children
Biomonitoring study by German Environment Agency (UBA) measures 12 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in blood plasma of children and adolescents; finds highest average levels of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS)
Human exposure to BPA systematically underestimated
New study shows that different measurement methods lead to large discrepancies in BPA human body burdens; human population exposed to higher levels of BPA than estimated using standard method; human health risk of BPA likely underestimated
Spanish biomonitoring study on plastic exposure
Published study investigates concentrations of 15 phthalates and 12 phenols in urine samples from 20 adults, finds highest concentrations of monoethylphthalate and methylparaben, all phthalates detectable in all adults
Biomonitoring of environmental chemicals, plastics
New French biomonitoring study measures levels of bisphenols, phthalates, PFAS in adults and children; German biomonitoring study finds plastic byproducts in 97% of children’s urine samples