Microplastics have been found in the human food chain as particles made of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene-terephthalate (PET) and others were detected in human stools, research presented today at the 26th UEG Week in Vienna reveals. Researchers from the Medical University of Vienna and the Environment Agency Austria monitored a group of participants from countries across the […]
Microplastics detected in humans for the first time
In a pilot study conducted by the Federal Environment Agency and the Medical University of Vienna, microplastics in the human stool was discovered for the first time – in all of the eight international participants. Bettina Liebmann from the Federal Environment Agency and Philipp Schwabl from the Medical University of Vienna have succeeded in proving […]
Plastic contamination in bottled water
Research shows that a single bottle can hold dozens or possibly even thousands of microscopic plastic particles. Tests on more than 250 bottles from 11 brands reveal contamination with plastic including polypropylene, nylon, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Twenty-seven different lots of bottled water from 11 different brands purchased in 19 locations across 9 different countries […]
Exposure To BPA During Pregnancy May Cause Health Problems For Offspring
A chemical called bisphenol A — BPA — used in plastic packaging and in the linings of food and beverage cans, may be passed from a mother to her offspring during pregnancy and cause changes in the gut bacteria of the offspring, according to an international team of researchers. In a study on rabbits, the […]
BioBag® Compostable Bags For The Purpose Of Composting Organic Waste
BioBag® is a world leader in providing bags and films for the collection of organic waste for the purpose of composting. Unlike regular plastic, BioBags can be consumed by micro-organisms that live in our soils. Because we use starches from renewable crops, our bags can be readily composted along with organic waste in municipal composting […]
Flame Retardants: Human Hair And Nails Can Tell Toxic Secrets
Chemicals used as flame retardants that are potentially harmful to humans are found in hair, toenails and fingernails, according to new research from Indiana University. The discovery of an easily available biomarker should ease the way for further research to determine the human impact of chemicals commonly found in the environment, including in indoor dust, […]
Plastic Toothbrush Toxins Could Be Dangerous
Toothbrushes are among those products that contain PVC plastics and are used several times a day by people all around the world. Therefore, if toothbrushes contain a significant amount of phthalate, they could be very dangerous and harmful. Phthalates are chemicals found in everyday products and PVC plastics, mainly because of their ability to enhance […]
Phthalate compounds contaminating your glass of wine?
We all know what risks our favourite wines and spirits pose to our health but now scientists reveal that the packaging of these drinks may be just as damaging. Is it time to leave that extra bottle of red on the supermarket shelf? Phthalate compounds are extremely widespread in our environment and are present in […]
‘BPA-free’ plastic accelerates embryonic development, disrupts reproductive system
Companies advertise “BPA-free” as a safer version of plastic products ranging from water bottles to sippy cups to toys. Many manufacturers stopped using Bisphenol A to strengthen plastic after animal studies linked it to early puberty and a rise in breast and prostate cancers. Yet new UCLA research demonstrates that BPS (Bisphenol S), a common […]
Midway Documentary: Paradise And The Pacific Garbage Patch
Midway is a visually stunning documentary project from Chris Jordan that reflects on the immense environmental impact of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch — a mammoth collection of waste located in the Pacific Ocean. The MIDWAY film project is a powerful visual journey into the heart of an astonishingly symbolic environmental tragedy. On one of the remotest islands on […]