The latest news about safe, sustainable and bio-based materials and products

New Tool For Environmental Health and Safety Evaluations of Cellulose: Fluorescently Labeled Fibrillated Cellulose!

Vireo Advisors is a proud contributor to the newly published “Fluorescently Labeled Cellulose Nanofibers for Environmental Health and Safety Studies”.

Environment, Leadership, NanoEHS News, Nanomaterials, Cellulose, Risk Analysis, Safety, SustainabilityJames EdeApril 20, 2021Environmental Health and Safety, Cellulose EHS, Fluorescently Labeled Fibrillated Cellulose, Vireo Advisors, CNF, US Endowment for Forestry and Communities, carbon-based material, boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY) reactive fluorescent probe, meso-DichlorotriazineEthyl BODIPY (mDTEB)Comment

Using Nanotechnology and Microbes to Break Down “Forever Chemicals”

With increased regulatory pressure to reduce the use of “forever chemicals” such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs) in food packaging, researchers from the University of Pittsburgh and the University at Buffalo are looking to nanotechnology to break down PFAS into smaller pieces which microbes can then digest.

Environment, Innovation, Nanomaterials, Nanotechnology, SafetyJames EdeMarch 26, 2021microbes, PFAs, Nanotechnology, "forever chemicals", per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, catalytic carbon-metal nanomaterialsComment

The EPA Takes Action Against PFAS in Drinking Water

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued two actions to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water.

Environment, Policy, SafetyJames EdeMarch 15, 2021PFAS, EPA, drinking water, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, forever chemicals, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)Comment

The ethical way to alter organisms

Kevin Esvelt, one of the inventors of CRISPR-based gene drive, offers advice on how to ethically develop and use these technologies to block the spread of animal-borne diseases, reduce pests without the use of toxins, and provide solutions to conservation problems.

Environment, Leadership, Safety, Bio-Based, SustainabilityJames EdeJanuary 7, 2021CRISPR-based gene drive, animal-borne diseases, conservation, ecological editing, Kevin EsveltComment

New Jersey Bans Plastic and Paper Bags

New Jersey is banning plastic and paper single-use bags, along with polystyrene foam food containers and cups starting in May 2022.

Regulation, Policy, EnvironmentJames EdeDecember 15, 2020New Jersey, single use plastic, paper bag ban, polystyrene foam food containers, Governor Phil Murphy, plastics bans, single-use plastic strawsComment

Celanese Introduces a Biodegradable Alternative to Petrochemical Plastics

As demand for a more biodegradable, environmentally sustainable alternative to petrochemical plastics rises, Celanese has launched BlueRidge, a cellulose acetate product line which is backyard compostable and biodegradable.

Bio-Based, Environment, Innovation, SustainabilityJames EdeDecember 7, 2020Cellulose acetate, Biodegradable Alternative to Petrochemical Plastics, petrochemical thermoplastics, Celanese, BlueRidge, backyard compostable, biodegradable, wood pulp, biobased plasticizersComment

California bans PFAS firefighting foams

Beginning in 2022, California is banning the sale, manufacture, and use of firefighting foam that contains per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

Environment, Safety, PolicyJames EdeNovember 5, 2020California, PFAS, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, Evironmental Working Group, firefighting foamsComment

‘Forever chemicals’ get new limits

Massachusetts has issued significant new limits on human-made compounds found in drinking water, called per- and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals (PFAS), which have been linked to cancer, low birth weights, and a range of diseases.

Environment, Policy, SafetyJames EdeOctober 6, 2020per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, PFAs, Massachusetts, drinking water, Public water suppliers, PolicyComment

Living Algae Clothing Reduces Carbon Emissions

Working with researchers from the University of British Columbia, Canadian-Iranian designer Roya Aghighi has created a bio-fabricated textile made from algae.

Bio-Based, Environment, InnovationJames EdeSeptember 28, 2020University of British Columbia, Roya Aghighi, bio-fabricated textile, Biogarmentry, carbon emissions, greenhouse gas, fashion industry, carbon-negative fabricsComment

Livestock Environment Changes Human Microbiome

A group of researchers at the South China Agricultural University in Guangzhou have discovered that the gut microbiome of humans can be changed by a livestock farm’s environment.

EnvironmentJames EdeJune 25, 2020gut microbiome, livestock, humane microbiome, antibiotic-resistant, South China Agricultural University in Guangzhou, fecal samplesComment