Release Overview
- New Litagion agent profiles for decabromodiphenyl ethane and zearalenone
- New blog content: "The global food system generates one-third of all greenhouse gasses" and "EPA bans chlorpyrifos from U.S. food crops. Which pesticides could be next?"
- Updated Litagion agent and company profiles impacted by newly published peer-reviewed science and newly gathered company information
New Content
Litagion agents
- Decabromodiphenyl ethane. Decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE) [CAS No. 84852-53-9] is an additive brominated flame retardant. Structurally similar to decabromodiphenyl ether, DBDPE is increasingly used as a substitute in materials and finished products such as consumer electronics, cable and wire coatings, insulation foams, textiles, rubber, and plastic resin and rubber. DBDPE is also used in adhesives and sealants.
- Zearalenone. Zearalenone is a mycotoxin produced by several species of Fusarium fungi. The mycotoxin contaminates stored cereal crops worldwide, although it is more prevalent in wetter climates. Zearalenone can be found in grains such as wheat, barley, corn, rice, and sorghum. The adverse effect of zearalenone on livestock has long been a concern due to its widespread contamination of animal feed.
Updated Litagion agent profiles based upon newly published science
All Litagion agent profiles have been updated to reflect the most recently published peer-reviewed science. Notable scientific studies added to CoMeta since the last release include:
- Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). A Canadian study reports that the incidence of childhood asthma in children at five years of age is positively associated with the concentration of DEHP in household dust.
- Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD). An analysis of data collected in a Swedish fertility study shows a negative association between HBCDD serum levels and the number of healthy follicles in women.
In addition, we highlight the following changes to the components of Litagion agent risk resulting from newly published peer-reviewed science:
| Litagion agent | Risk category change | Overall risk change |
| Bisphenol F (BPF) | Projected science risk changes from Medium (yellow) to High (red) | No change |
|
Propiconazole |
Projected science risk changes from Low (green) to Medium-low (light green) | No change |