Topics
chemical exposure
October 28, 2026
Study assesses exposure to 920 chemicals increasing breast cancer risk; finds exposure via air, food, drinking water, pharmaceuticals; identifies US exposure > 0.1 mg/kg body weight for 85 breast carcinogens; prioritizes 39 chemicals for reduction and further research
Reading time: 3 minutes
February 3, 2026
European Commission report estimates cost of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) pollution based on four scenarios; completely banning PFAS by 2040 could save €110 billion; other jurisdictions also taking action to address PFAS pollution
Reading time: 4 minutes
January 20, 2026
Updated version of Food Contact Chemicals Priority (FCCprio) List introduces new resources; shows which chemicals have been used to make or have been found in relevant food contact materials; users can now compare their own chemical set(s) with the FCCprio List
Reading time: 1 minute
June 11, 2025
Food Packaging Forum releases the Food Contact Chemicals Priority (FCCprio) List; 1,222 substances have harmonized hazard data showing persistence, bioaccumulation, mobility, carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, endocrine disruption, or others; 81 % of all known food contact chemicals lack harmonized hazard data
Reading time: 2 minutes
November 5, 2024
Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are a large part of the diet of many people. This background article lays out the different ways researchers classify an ultra-processed food, what is known about the chemical migration from food contact materials to UPFs, and evidence related to human health effects of UPFs and food contact chemicals.
Reading time: 14 minutes
September 19, 2024
Umbrella review analyzes 52 systematic reviews and 759 meta-analyses on plastic-associated chemicals and human health; bisphenols, phthalates, flame retardants, and PFAS were linked to adverse health effects; finds ties to reproductive issues, neurodevelopmental disorders, metabolic conditions, and cancers; research gaps remain, particularly microplastics and newer chemical groups
Topics: bisphenols, chemical exposure, chemical safety, health, PCB, PFAS, plastics, reproductive health
Reading time: 3 minutes
September 17, 2024
New research from the Food Packaging Forum looks at food contact chemicals (FCCs) that have been detected in humans; compares known FCCs with human biomonitoring programs, metabolome/exposome databases and the scientific literature; 3,601 FCCs have evidence of presence in humans, including chemicals with hazardous properties; comes with interactive dashboard to browse all data
Reading time: 2 minutes
March 22, 2024
Two studies investigating chemicals from retail plastic food contact articles find considerable variability in complexity, with subsequent effects on cell-based tests of hormone disruption; many more chemicals measured from PVC and polyurethane than other polymers though the chemical mixtures from majority of the plastic samples are hormone disrupting; further evidence of PVC and PUR can interfere with GPCR-based cell communication
Reading time: 3 minutes
February 7, 2023
National delegations meet in Thailand to discuss the objectives and responsibilities of the new science-policy panel on chemicals, waste, and pollution prevention; in run up to the meeting group of chemical pollution scientists publish article highlighting ten aspects for delegates to consider; non-profit academic organization International Panel on Chemical Pollution hosts webinar on conflicts of interest in chemicals and waste governance
Reading time: 6 minutes
November 28, 2022
International negotiators prepare for first meeting to negotiate the UN treaty to end plastic pollution; scientists, civil society organizations, and governmental bodies publish reports proposing suggestions for what and how to negotiate; many reports support including controls on chemical additives as part of the treaty
Reading time: 6 minutes
