Study of colon cancer cell lines finds polystyrene micro and nanoplastic particles (MNPs) can be absorbed into cancerous cells in experimental settings; the more aggressive cell line absorbed the most MNPs and presence of MNPs increased cell movement; evidence of persistence and bioaccumulation; authors argue MNPs fit criteria as substance of concern under REACH
Food contact chemicals among 921 substances tied to breast cancer risk
Researchers expand list of known substances with characteristics linked to breast cancer by more than four-fold; many are in standard consumer products, including 189 in food contact according to FPF’s database on migrating and extractable food contact chemicals (FCCmigex); authors call for improved hazard identification methods, advocate for more comprehensive chemical testing, especially focusing on the mammary gland and broader range of chemicals
Krebsliga hosts Environment and Cancer Forum
Krebsliga (Swiss Cancer League) forum discusses interaction of environmental factors and cancer; brings together experts from academia, non-governmental organizations, and industry; addressed topics including endocrine disruptors, migration, risks posed by chemical mixtures
EU launches Beating Cancer Plan
European Commission presents plan aimed to better prevent and treat cancer; includes focus on reducing exposure to hazardous substances, links to Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability; Health and Environment Alliance calls on Commission to use the plan in supporting revision of outdated EU food contact material regulations
McDonald’s phases out PFAS
McDonald’s announces plan to remove per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from all guest packaging materials globally by 2025
FPF Workshop 2020: Proceedings available
8th annual Food Packaging Forum workshop focuses on linking policy-making with scientific research to improve the safety of food contact materials; video recordings, presentation slides, and summary articles now available online
FPF Workshop 2020: Work of IARC explained
Kate Guyton reviews the work of International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), underlines the essential role played by independent scientific experts, describes processes used for evidence synthesis and carcinogen classification; key characteristics of carcinogens constitute an important approach to cancer hazard identification
Preventing cancer from environmental pollutants: Infographic
Health and Environmental Alliance (HEAL) and the European Cancer Leagues publish set of infographics illustrating role environmental pollutants play in causing cancer; call for revisions to EU food contact materials legislation to reduce hazardous chemical exposures
Webinar on key characteristics of hazardous chemicals
Food Packaging Forum holds webinar with presentation from Martyn Smith on the identification of key characteristics to support chemical evaluation; introduces concept and recent key publications; recording now available to watch
Upcoming webinars on chemicals, aging and disease
Collaborative on Health and the Environment to host webinars on phthalate exposure and aging, chemical mixtures and cancer; US National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) to host series of webinars on time lags between exposures and disease onset