A study by the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, ETH Zurich and the University of Illinois, found that ‘’potentially pathogenic bacteria’’ could be found inside rubber ducks, The Guardian reports. The study points to low quality polymers in the plastic ducks as providing nutrients for the bacteria, of which Legionella and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were also found – posing a serious risk to children’s health.

With World Health Day, held under the auspices of the World Health Organisation (WHO) just a few days ago, we can take stock of the multitude of areas in which chemistry is playing a vital role in improving health conditions. EuCheMS took the opportunity to focus once more on the role of Trans Fatty Acids in our diet as well as the continued danger of antibiotic resistance. For more health-related issues, keep an eye out for the EuCheMS-EFMC session at the EFMC congress in Ljubljana (in September) and check out the 7^th EuCheMS Chemistry Congress programme!    

On 22 March, a public hearing organised by the European Parliament’s Environment Committee and the Petitions Committee looked at the impact of endocrine disruptors on public health and the environment. Endocrine disruptors, usually found in pesticides, metals, additives and contaminants in food, are chemicals that can interfere with our endocrine and hormonal systems and which can cause cancerous tumours, birth defects and other disorders (see the World Health Organisation’s info page). A recent high number of petitions on the subject led to the Parliament’s decision to hold the hearing and discuss the EU’s regulatory actions, as well as what scientists are currently saying on the subject. In October 2017, the Parliament had blocked plans proposed by the European Commission to exempt some pesticides from being identified as endocrine disruptors.

The European Research Council has announced a total of €653 million worth of funding, that will benefit 269 senior researchers and their teams across Europe as well as creating an estimated 2,000 postdocs, PhD students and other staff positions. The research projects are vastly diverse, and in the words of Carlos Moedas, European Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation, ‘’ground-breaking’’ and ‘’high-risk’’. You can browse some examples of planned research projects here.

The European Commission adopted on 14 March 2018 the Implementation Roadmap for the European Science Cloud. The background: the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) projected to be implemented by 2020, will create a virtual space for all researchers to share and store data for research and innovation, helping to encourage open science in Europe. The latest document presents ‘the outcome of the exploration of appropriate governance and financing mechanisms for the European Open Science Cloud’ as well as describing ‘the measures taken under Horizon 2020 Work Programmes to start implementing the EOSC’. The document’s purpose is moreover to act as a further stepping stone for consultations with EU Member States, the European Parliament and relevant stakeholders.

EuCheMS has responded to the European Commission’s public call for feedback on the implementation of Missions within the future research Framework Programme (FP9). EuCheMS highlighted a number of issues that need to be addressed as soon as possible, including, finding solutions on ‘Sustainable Low Carbon Energy for All’, ‘Forming a fit-for purpose Food Landscape’, ‘Enabling our Ageing Population’, and ‘Averting an Antimicrobial Resistance Apocalypse’. A funding instrument that recognises these priorities, and that recognises the role science can play in providing solutions is crucial. Read our feedback here.