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Academic article

Spot the difference: engineered and natural nanoparticles in the environment—release, behavior, and fate

May 2014

The production and use of nanoparticles leads to the emission of manufactured or engineered nanoparticles into the environment. Those particles undergo many possible reactions and interactions in the environment they are exposed to. These reactions and the resulting behavior and fate of nanoparticles in the environment have been studied for decades through naturally occurring nanoparticulate (1-100 nm) and colloidal (1-1000 nm) substances. The knowledge gained from these investigations is nowhere near sufficiently complete to create a detailed model of the

Emerging Policy Issues: Nanotechnology

Academic article

Nanomaterials in the environment: Behavior, fate, bioavailability, and effects—An updated review

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Wiley Online Library

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April 2018

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The present review covers developments in studies of nanomaterials (NMs) in the environment since our much cited review in 2008. We discuss novel insights into fate and behavior, metrology, transformations, bioavailability, toxicity mechanisms, and environmental impacts, with a focus on terrestrial and aquatic systems. Overall, the findings were that: 1) despite substantial developments, critical gaps remain, in large part due to the lack of analytical, modeling, and field capabilities, and also due to the breadth and complexity of the area

Emerging Policy Issues: Nanotechnology

Academic article

Chemicals of concern in building materials: A high-throughput screening

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Elsevier

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December 2021

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Chemicals used in building materials can be a major passive emission source indoors, associated with the deterioration of indoor environmental quality. This study aims to screen the various chemicals used in building materials for potential near-field human exposures and related health risks, identifying chemicals and products of concern to inform risk reduction efforts. We propose a mass balance-based and high-throughput suited model for predicting chemical emissions from building materials considering indoor sorption. Using this model, we performed a screening-level human

Emerging Policy Issues: Chemicals in products

Academic article

Estimating mouthing exposure to chemicals in children’s products

by

Springer Nature

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December 2021

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AbstractBackgroundExisting models for estimating children’s exposure to chemicals through mouthing currently depends on the availability of chemical- and material-specific experimental migration rates, only covering a few dozen chemicals.ObjectiveThis study objective is hence to develop a mouthing exposure model to predict migration into saliva, mouthing exposure, and related health risk from a wide range of chemical-material combinations in children’s products.MethodsWe collected experimental data on chemical migration from different products into saliva for multiple substance groups and materials, identifying chemical concentration and

Emerging Policy Issues: Chemicals in products

Newsletter

Era of leaded petrol over, eliminating a major threat to human and planetary health

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UNEP

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September 2021

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Official end of use of leaded petrol will prevent more than 1.2 million premature deaths and save USD 2.45 trillion a yearThe end of leaded petrol follows a 19-year campaign led by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and partnersUNEP urges countries to work towards zero emissions vehicles to further address air pollution and climate changeNairobi, 30 August 2021 – When service stations in Algeria stopped providing leaded petrol in July, the use of leaded petrol ended globally. This development follows

Emerging Policy Issues: Chemicals in products

Academic article

Alternatives to Methylene Chloride in Paint and Varnish Strippers: Availability of Safer Alternatives & Requirements for Meeting Stage 1 of the California Safer Consumer Products Regulations

by

OECD

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May 2023

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This report gives a summary of a research project which aimed to identify less hazardous alternatives to methylene chloride in formulated paint stripper products, and to align alternatives with the California Safer Consumer Products regulations.

Academic article

Phthalate-free Plasticizers in PVC

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OECD

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May 2023

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This report gives a summary of a research project which aimed to compare the health and environmental impacts of plasticizer alternatives to phthalates now in use in PVC building products. The report recommends the most effective phthalate alternatives.

Academic article

Flame Retardants Used in Flexible Polyurethane Foam: Alternatives Assessment Update

by

OECD

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May 2023

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This report gives a summary of a research project which aimed to identify and assess environmentally safer chemical alternatives to flame retardants commonly used in furniture foam.

Academic article

Pruning chemicals from the green building landscape

May 2023

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This article from the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology notes it is not uncommon for so-called green building to meet the highest criteria for energy efficiency and be built with materials that contain chemicals hazardous to occupant health. This journal article provides key examples of how scientists have promoted healthy building practices and highlights additional research opportunities.

Emerging Policy Issues: Chemicals in products

Academic article

Environmental levels and human body burdens of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances in Africa: A critical review

May 2023

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Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are known organic pollutants with adverse health effects on humans and the ecosystem. This paper synthesises literature about the status of the pollutants and their precursors, identifies knowledge gaps and discusses future perspectives on the study of PFASs in Africa.

Emerging Policy Issues: Perfluorinated Chemicals