In this issue
Dear readers,
“There’s nought outside and nought within, For she is inside out and outside in,” reads Goethe’s poem “Epirrhema”, which is devoted to the contemplation of nature. In a figurative sense, this also applies to many substances that the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment) deals with. Take, for example, the “forever chemicals” PFAS, which enter the human body from the environment – that is, from the outside in. It can then take a long time for them to be “outside” again. Though not an eternity, as you can read in our feature on PFAS.
Lead, microplastics and viruses in food are also covered in this issue of our science magazine “BfR2GO”. From the outside in: whether heavy metals, plastics or microorganisms, none of them stop at the boundary of our bodies and they can gain unwanted entry. It is the BfR’s task to help ensure that they remain “outside” as far as possible.
Raw milk, food colours, alternatives to animal testing – these and other interesting topics await you in this issue. “He who brings much will bring something to many,” as Goethe once said. Whether indoors or outdoors, I hope you enjoy this varied read.
Dr Tewes Tralau
Vice-President of the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment
