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phthalates

October 7, 2024

Study finds toxic phthalate migrating from reusable plastic drinking bottles

Targeted and non-targeted analysis on reusable plastic drinking water finds diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP) to migrate from 22 plastic bottle types after extensive dishwashing; detects hundreds of unidentifiable chemicals in food simulants; calls for more safety data on plastic chemicals and to ban DIBP in plastic products
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Reading time: 2 minutes

June 5, 2024

US state of Washington picks new chemical groups for regulatory scrutiny

Washington state Department of Ecology publishes list of seven new priority chemical groups for future regulatory scrutiny as part of the Safer Products for Washington program; includes lead, cadmium, and formaldehyde; earlier in 2024, Washington passed the strongest regulation on lead in cookware in the US
Reading time: 2 minutes

March 1, 2024

Linking chemical exposures to birth outcomes: Insights from the ECHO Program

Two studies use Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program in the US to investigate chemical exposures and birth outcomes; several phthalates associated with decreased gestational age, increased risk of preterm birth; ~56,595 preventable preterm births and $3.84 billion healthcare costs in US annually
Reading time: 4 minutes

February 28, 2024

Unexpected SVHC phthalate metabolite found in humans, including children

German biomonitoring study finds mono-n-hexyl phthalate in majority of samples, indicating widespread exposure to substance of very high concern (SVHC) di-n-hexyl phthalate or related compounds; sources of exposure currently under investigation; contribution of food contact materials to human exposure possible, but only limited data available
Reading time: 3 minutes

February 1, 2024

Food contact chemicals among 921 substances tied to breast cancer risk

Researchers expand list of known substances with characteristics linked to breast cancer by more than four-fold; many are in standard consumer products, including 189 in food contact according to FPF’s database on migrating and extractable food contact chemicals (FCCmigex); authors call for improved hazard identification methods, advocate for more comprehensive chemical testing, especially focusing on the mammary gland and broader range of chemicals
Reading time: 4 minutes

January 22, 2024

Ultra-processed food intake can increase human exposure to phthalates and microplastics

Two studies analyzed ultra-processed foods for phthalates and microplastics; report that consumption of ultra-processed foods and fast food during pregnancy increases exposure to phthalates; link lower socioeconomic status to increased ultra-processed food consumption and phthalate exposure; find highly-processed protein products in the US to contain significantly more microplastics than minimally-processed products; hypothesize plastic processing equipment to be one main source
Reading time: 4 minutes

January 16, 2024

Report finds harmful chemicals widespread in packaged and processed foods

Report by Consumer Reports analyzed 85 different packaged foods for bisphenols and phthalates; detects BPA and phthalates in majority of products with wide ranging concentrations; authors emphasize difficulty of assessing “safe levels”
Reading time: 2 minutes

September 25, 2023

Scientists find phthalates impact development of boys more than girls

Biomonitoring study reports association between maternal phthalate exposure and 24-month-old boy emotional/behavioral problems; short review discusses teratogenic effect and calls for health policies; research article detects phthalates in wide range of US foods, indicates phthalate migration from food processing equipment; review evaluates gas chromatography-based approaches to measure phthalates in aqueous and solid foods
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Reading time: 4 minutes

July 25, 2023

US FDA stands by decision on phthalates in food contact

US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) maintains May 2022 decision to deny citizen petition asking the agency to ban eight ortho-phthalates in food contact
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Reading time: 1 minute

July 20, 2023

US state actions concerning food packaging and chemicals in 2023

A brief overview of US state-level regulatory actions concerning food contact chemicals, material prohibitions, and bottle deposits in 2023; state of Washington bans bisphenol-based epoxy liners in drink cans beginning in 2025; other updates from Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Vermont
Reading time: 4 minutes
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