EPS, or expanded polystyrene, is the plastic foam commonly found in food containers and has been a source of controversy due to the unrecyclable waste its use creates. Now researchers may have found an unlikely solution: Mealworms. The larvae of the darkling beetle will not only feed on EPS, but the microorganisms in their gut... Read more »
A bill to ban the manufacture or sale of personal care products containing small plastic particles known as “microbeads” by the year 2019 was passed by the U.S. House following a December 7th vote. The bill (HR 1321) was introduced by Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-NJ) an proposes banning microbeads manufacture beginning July 2017 and... Read more »
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a delay on a ban of the production and import of mid and long-chain chlorinated paraffins until mid-2017. Chlorinated paraffins (CPs) have long been used as additives in metalworking fluids, and groups such as the Chlorinated Paraffins Industry Association (CPIA) and the Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association (ILMA) have... Read more »
Since the 1990’s, many scientists have pointed out various chemicals might be disrupting the endocrine systems of people and animals. In 1996 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) formed scientific advisory committee to investigate such claims, and by 1998 the committee developed an Endocrine Distruptor Screening Program (EDSP). The program uses a uses a two... Read more »
Back in June, Shell took further steps toward its investment in shale gas by purchasing a site near Pittsburgh for a plastics and petrochemicals plant. The preliminary plants indicated that the plant would have three polyethylene resin production lines as well as an ethylene manufacturing line, and seven ethane crackers. The site would be able... Read more »
