Topics
human health
September 14, 2026
Scientists systematically identified 15 high-throughput in vitro assays for screening chemicals and mixtures for impacts on non-communicable diseases; approach integrates key characteristics concept and adverse outcome pathways (AOP); enables a more relevant toxicological screening of chemicals than is currently required by regulations
Reading time: 3 minutes
August 17, 2026
Minderoo Foundation and Boston College publish second update of umbrella review on plastic-associated chemicals and human health; demonstrates continuing increase in “statistically significant and highly consistent” evidence of harm; PlasticHealthAware dashboard makes data openly available; regular updates planned
Topics: human health, plastic
Reading time: 2 minutes
June 8, 2026
Nature Health study assesses over 100 brain samples for micro- and nanoplastic presence, their exact location, and potential entry pathways; particles present in almost all samples; disrupted blood-brain barrier suggested to facilitate particle entry into brain
Topics: human health, microplastics
Reading time: 2 minutes
May 28, 2026
UN Human Rights Council (HRC) Advisory Committee to prepare study on implications of plastic pollution for full enjoyment of human rights; Food Packaging Forum (FPF) responds to Advisory Committee’s call for inputs and provides information on impacts of hazardous chemicals from plastic food contact materials on human rights; suggests potential approaches to tackle plastic pollution
Reading time: 3 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
November 24, 2025
European research cluster to understand the health impacts of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) publishes roadmap for future research; highlights five transversal themes: analytical methods and representative materials, exposure and hazard assessment, risk assessment frameworks, and mitigation measures
Reading time: 2 minutes
August 26, 2025
Deep Science Ventures publishes report arguing that ‘pervasive toxicity threatens human and planetary health’; authors review scientific research to create comprehensive overview of effects from human and environmental exposure to chemicals; first key research highlight is Food Packaging Forum’s FCChumon study
Reading time: 2 minutes
August 22, 2025
First global estimate of premature cardiovascular mortality due to phthalates; finds di-2-ethylhexylphthalate (DEHP) exposure contributed globally to 356,238 deaths in 2018 among people aged 55-64; cardiovascular mortality burden higher in the Asia-Pacific region
Topics: human health, phthalates
Reading time: 2 minutes
August 4, 2025
A new report published in The Lancet outlines up-to-date scientific evidence on health impacts from plastic pollution; identifies plastic pollution as a serious threat to human health; launches independent monitoring system on plastic life-cycle indicators; launches ahead of UN plastics treaty negotiations
Reading time: 2 minutes
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
