A fast and selective method for the determination of 8 carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in rubber and plastic materials.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been detected in rubber and plastic components of a number of consumer products such as toys, tools for domestic use, sports equipment, and footwear, with carbon black and extender oils having been identified as principal sources. In response to these findings, the European Union Regulation (EU) No. 1272/2013 was adopted in December 2013, amending entry 50 in Annex XVII to the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) directive establishing a restriction on the content of eight individual carcinogenic PAHs in plastic and rubber parts of products supplied to the public.

Collaboration of the Joint Research Centre and European Customs Laboratories for the Identification of New Psychoactive Substances.

Background: The emergence of psychoactive designer drugs has significantly increased over the last few years. Customs officials are responsible for the control of products entering the European Union (EU) market. This control applies to chemicals in general, pharmaceutical products and medicines.

Systematic analytical characterization of new psychoactive substances: A case study.

New psychoactive substances (NPS) are synthesized compounds that are not usually covered by European and/or international laws. With a slight alteration in the chemical structure of existing illegal substances registered in the European Union (EU), these NPS circumvent existing controls and are thus referred to as "legal highs". They are becoming increasingly available and can easily be purchased through both the internet and other means (smart shops).

Investigation of volatile organic compounds and phthalates present in the cabin air of used private cars.

The presence of selected volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including aromatic, aliphatic compounds and low molecular weight carbonyls, and a target set of phthalates were investigated in the interior of 23 used private cars during the summer and winter. VOC concentrations often exceeded levels typically found in residential indoor air, e.g.

Transferability study of a near-infrared microscopic method for the detection of banned meat and bone meal in feedingstuffs.

Near-infrared microscopy (NIRM) has been proved to be a powerful tool for the detection of banned meat and bone meal (MBM) in feed. The identification of MBM traces and its ability to differentiate animal from vegetable feed ingredients is based on the evaluation of near-infrared spectra obtained from individual particles present in the sample. This evaluation is supported by appropriate decision rules for the absorbances at specific wavelengths.

Characterisation of urban inhalation exposures to benzene, formaldehyde and acetaldehyde in the European Union: comparison of measured and modelled exposure data.

Background, Aim And Scope: All across Europe, people live and work in indoor environments. On average, people spend around 90% of their time indoors (homes, workplaces, cars and public transport means, etc.) and are exposed to a complex mixture of pollutants at concentration levels that are often several times higher than outdoors.

Identification of 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-diisobutyl succinonitrile in laser printer emissions.

2,3-Dimethyl-2,3-diisobutyl succinonitrile was identified as the main volatile organic compound (>90%) emitted from laser printers during the printing process. Experiments were carried out in a large environmental chamber of 30 m3, where the printers were placed and working simulating 'real office setting' conditions. Air samples were taken on Tenax TA adsorbent cartridges in the vicinity of the printers and further analyzed by thermal desorption gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (TDGC/MS).

[Evaluation of total exposure to benzene and formaldehyde in the European countries].

Benzene and formaldehyde are among the principal components in the air of various indoor occupational and non-occupational environments. Both compounds are toxicologically relevant for humans as recognized carcinogens. In order to evaluate the total exposure and to assess the possible health risk caused by benzene and formaldehyde for different population groups at European level, the JRC Institute for Health and Consumer Protection in Ispra launched the AIRMEX (IndoorAir Monitoring and ExposureAssessment Study) project in October 2003.

Discriminating animal fats and their origins: assessing the potentials of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, gas chromatography, immunoassay and polymerase chain reaction techniques.

The objective of the reported study was to assess the abilities of various methods to differentiate the sources of fats used in feedstuff formulations. The main target was the identification of tallow (ruminant fat) and its differentiation from non-ruminant fats. Four different techniques were compared in terms of their suitability for enforcing existing and upcoming legislation on animal by-products: (1) Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) applied to fat samples, (2) gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to determine fatty acid profiles, (3) immunoassays focusing on the protein fraction included in the fat, and (4) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of bovine-specific DNA.