Scientists develop holistic conceptual framework to characterize and rank the environmental risks of plastic polymers; tool can support targeted investment and mitigation strategies
January 28, 2022
Commentary on microplastics as a vector for chemical transport
Scientists respond to perspective article providing clarifications on plastic-driven long-range environmental transport (LRET) of chemical additives; discuss nine shortcomings of the perspective; suggest omitting the perspective article in discussions on plastic debris-associated LRET of additives
January 25, 2022
Scientists explore effects of micro- and nanoplastics on mammals, including humans
Research studies show maternal polystyrene (PS) particle exposure can cause testicular and hepatic toxicity in male mouse offspring; report PS microplastics affect rat ovary function; find correlation between human fecal microplastics levels and Inflammatory Bowel Disease; reviews summarize potential human health effects; study develops a tool to screen and prioritize micro-and nanoplastics toxicity studies for human health risks evaluation
December 22, 2021
Reviews discuss health hazards of plastics including PFAS
Medical professionals elaborate on health hazards connected with plastic production, use, and waste; give options to reduce impacts on humans and the planet; scientists summarize current knowledge on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) occurrence and migration from food packaging and microplastics
December 14, 2021
Scientific studies evaluate microplastic effects on human cells
Rapid review assesses microplastics impacts on human cells and reports thresholds of effects lower than previously predicted; scientific study finds polystyrene (PS) microplastics to have nephrotoxic potential; reproduction and fertility study with mice reports PS microplastics to affect females more than males
December 2, 2021
European Commission calls for evidence on microplastic pollution
New EU regulatory initiative aims to curb the emissions of microplastics into the environment; public call for evidence to inform an impact assessment and policymaking open until December 28, 2021; targets tires, pellet losses, and synthetic textiles
November 26, 2021
EU delays decisions on polymer registration, EDCs, and microplastics
Mandates for CARACAL subgroups on polymer registration and endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) set to be extended by up to two years; proposed legislation on microplastics now seemingly delayed by one year
October 29, 2021
Study reports microplastics induce reproductive toxicity in pregnant mice
Research study finds polystyrene microplastics exposure of pregnant mice leads to fetal losses by immune disturbance; book chapter estimates human chemical exposure via seafood contaminated with microplastics
October 19, 2021
IPEN webinar discusses interdisciplinary issues underlying microplastic pollution
International Pollution Elimination Network (IPEN) webinar explores issues beyond microplastic pollution into the relationship between the plastics supply chain, hazardous chemicals, and policy; speaker argues we need accurate descriptors of the problems around plastics if we are to create solutions; recording available in English, Chinese, Spanish, Arabic, French, and Russian
October 13, 2021
2021 FPF Workshop: Sharing recent scientific research
On the first day of the Food Packaging Forum’s annual workshop, speakers discuss their latest scientific research projects covering food contact chemical migration, human biomonitoring, mixture effects, threshold levels, microplastics, and impacts on reproduction
