Topics
human health
January 14, 2025
South Korean study assesses link between microplastics in blood and plastic container use as well as blood coagulation disruptions; finds mostly polystyrene, polypropylene, and polyethylene microplastics in blood; links higher microplastic levels to use of plastic containers, impaired blood clotting and increased inflammation, suggesting potential cardiovascular risks
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
October 24, 2024
Article connects the dots between two global challenges: plastics and ultra-processed foods (UPFs); authors highlight how plastics have enabled the mass production of low-cost UPFs, leading to widespread health and environmental harms; emphasize that thousands of chemicals from plastic packaging migrate into food, many of which are hazardous and inadequately tested; urge joint efforts to tackle both issues, suggesting that addressing plastics and UPFs together could lead to more effective solutions
Reading time: 2 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
June 28, 2024
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) report outlines four key challenge areas concerning chemicals regulation in the EU; discusses protection against most harmful chemicals, particularly those inducing neurotoxicity, immunotoxicity, endocrine disruption; underscores the need for data transparency and a “lack of comprehensive information on many substances”, particularly polymers
Reading time: 2 minutes
June 6, 2024
European Joint Research Centre (JRC) publishes document to guide designers and assessors through the application of the voluntary Safe and Sustainable by Design framework; describes the steps of the framework, how to define system, frequently asked questions, and suggestions for where to find more information; following framework does not guarantee EU regulatory compliance; European Commission accepting feedback until August 30, 2024
Reading time: 1 minute
April 5, 2024
Study provides an in-depth look at microplastics in the male reproductive system, analyzes human and mouse samples to chart concentrations and polymer types; finds microplastics in all human testes samples and majority of semen samples; larger plastic particles may get trapped in testis, leading to higher concentrations; identifies correlation between urbanization, home-cooked meals, and body scrub used to microplastics concentration
Reading time: 3 minutes
February 9, 2024
Three studies investigate micro- and nanoplastics – source, organ deposition, and reproductive effects; detect up to 240,000 plastic particles/L in bottled water with 90% being nanoplastics; find microplastics in human lung, intestine, and kidney tissues; polyethylene particles found to affect placental function in mice
Reading time: 2 minutes
February 8, 2024
Scientists review and briefly summarize available scientific literature on each step of microplastic exposure from source to effect in humans; includes sections on sources of microplastics, exposure routes, levels, deposition in the body, and confirmed health effects; highlight current shortcomings
Topics: human health, microplastic
Reading time: 1 minute
September 26, 2023
Over 20 scientists present a vision for safer food contact materials (FCMs); propose new approach to test all chemicals that migrate from final product for their contribution to highly prevalent chronic diseases
Reading time: 3 minutes
