Risk assessment of food contact materials.

Food Contact Materials (FCMs), such as plastics, papers, ceramics and inks used in food packaging, containers, kitchen utensils and tableware are subject to scrutiny due to their potential to release toxic compounds into food. In the European Union, materials and articles intended for contact with food must adhere to stringent safety regulations and novel materials not explicitly covered by existing legislation require individual risk assessment. This project focused on the assessment of the genotoxic potential of two substances used in FCMs, specifically neodecanoic acid (NDA) and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), for which data gaps have been identified in genotoxicity studies.

Di(2-ethylexyl) phthalate and chromosomal damage: Insight on aneugenicity from the cytochalasin-block micronucleus assay.

Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate is the most abundant phthalate used as plasticizer to soften plastics and polymers included in medical devices. Human and environmental exposure may occur because DEHP is not chemically bound to plastics and can easily leach out of the materials. This phthalate is classified as reproductive toxicant and possible carcinogen to humans.

Investigating Genetic and Environmental Substrates of the Relationship between Positive Mental Health and Biological Aging-A Study Protocol.

Background: The Italian National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità) funded a 30-month project (July 2021-January 2024) to conduct a twin study of the relationships between Positive Mental Health (PMH) and cellular longevity. Only a few previous studies have focused on the biomarkers of aging in relation to psychological well-being, and none of them exploited the potential of the twin design.

Method: In this project, following the standard procedures of the Italian Twin Registry (ITR), we aim to recruit 200 adult twin pairs enrolled in the ITR.