Researchers at University of Gothenburg publish report on microplastics in the environment; examine occurrence, presence in food chain, toxicity effects, risk assessment
Webinar on microplastics now available online
Recording of Collaborative on Health and Environment’s recent webinar on microplastics now available online for streaming
Proposed restriction on microplastics
ECHA proposes restriction on microplastic particles intentionally added to mixtures across consumer and professional products
Restriction proposal on microplastics
ECHA notifies of intent to prepare restriction dossier for intentionally added microplastics in all consumer and professional products
Report on risk of microplastics
Scientists conclude no widespread risk currently posed by micro and nanoplastics; note limited evidence, measurement difficulty, and potential change with ongoing pollution
Global strategy on plastic pollution
United Nation Environmental Assembly (UNEA) discusses marine plastic litter and microplastics; over 90 international organizations endorse strategy to fight plastic pollution
Regulation of single-use plastics
UN Environment releases report on global ‘regulatory landscape’ for single-use plastics and microplastics in 192 countries, calls for more consolidation in policies worldwide
ECHA: Microplastics likely end up in soil and freshwater
ECHA’s risk assessment finds intentionally added microplastics more likely to accumulate in terrestrial and freshwater environments than in oceans
Safety of microplastic in bottled water
Literature-based risk assessment of microplastic in bottled mineral water finds no safety concerns for consumers from particles or small chemicals therein
Persistence as cause of concern
Scientists review environmental implications of high persistence, argue that ‘highly persistent chemicals should be regulated on the basis of their persistence alone,’ regardless of bioaccumulation and toxicity propertie