Topics
pollution
February 7, 2023
National delegations meet in Thailand to discuss the objectives and responsibilities of the new science-policy panel on chemicals, waste, and pollution prevention; in run up to the meeting group of chemical pollution scientists publish article highlighting ten aspects for delegates to consider; non-profit academic organization International Panel on Chemical Pollution hosts webinar on conflicts of interest in chemicals and waste governance
Reading time: 6 minutes
November 28, 2022
International negotiators prepare for first meeting to negotiate the UN treaty to end plastic pollution; scientists, civil society organizations, and governmental bodies publish reports proposing suggestions for what and how to negotiate; many reports support including controls on chemical additives as part of the treaty
Reading time: 6 minutes
September 27, 2022
As the first meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiation Committee of the UN Global Treaty to End Plastic Pollution approaches, publications highlight the diverse effects the plastics supply chain has on human health and the environment, particularly the burden on vulnerable communities
Reading time: 8 minutes
July 21, 2022
Recent studies perform semi-systematic review of published circular economy literature focusing on plastics over past 21 years, develop framework for plastics in circular economy; find Dutch food packaging plastic waste polluting oceans, question effectiveness of recycling; summarize chemical and microbial hazards related to circular food production systems
Reading time: 7 minutes
July 5, 2022
Report microplastics occur in lower airways of European citizens with the majority being fibers; evaluate microplastics indoor and outdoor exposure sources; work out established particle domains and paradigms can help predict toxicity of inhaled microplastic particles
Reading time: 4 minutes
May 9, 2022
Scientists present and discuss ongoing projects and findings on microplastics; includes research focuses on environmental abundance and health
Reading time: 1 minute
April 11, 2022
Review provides understanding of how knowledge gaps on long-term plastic particle fate affect life-cycle assessments (LCAs) and distort policy decisions; exemplifies discussion comparing a fossil-based with a biodegradable plastic; highlights importance of covering plastic particle impacts and its unknowns transparently in LCAs to allow reliable material comparisons and responsible decision making
Reading time: 4 minutes
March 15, 2022
Three studies research plastic labeling shortcomings, effectiveness of behavioral interventions; article recommends plastic labels should include sustainability scale, provide regional disposal instructions, and list additives; review considers bigger picture, stakeholder diversity, and several techniques to increase effectiveness of behavioral interventions to reduce single-use plastic consumption; study finds social media does not affect consumer’s intentions to recycle plastics
Reading time: 6 minutes
February 15, 2022
World Wildlife Fund (WWF) publishes principles for chemical recycling to avoid harming human health or goals for circular economy; should not compete with mechanical recycling, need transparency about resource consumption; prioritize reduction, reuse over recycling; WWF and Alfred Wegener Institute report on plastics’ impacts on oceans; plastic contamination is permanent; at least 2144 species affected, 99.8% of seabird species will eat plastics by 2050
Reading time: 3 minutes
February 1, 2022
17th meeting of the Stockholm Convention’s Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee (POPRC) considers scientific evidence, agrees to move all substances onto next step in review process; long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs), medium-chain chlorinated paraffins, and UV-328 all known to have been used in food packaging
Reading time: 3 minutes
