Health & Environmental Research Online (HERO)


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9429915 
Journal Article 
Phthalates controversy shows no sign of slowing 
Klopping, Y 
2008 
85 
10 
20-21 
English 
Experts state that emerging environmental protection regulations may restrict the use of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in a number of applications. It has been observed that PVC continues to be the most widely used plastic in single-use medical applications. More than one-third of medical devices contain plasticized PVC, with diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) being the most common plasticizer. Phthalate plasticizers are added to the rigid plastic, to make it pliable, creating significant controversies. Environmental regulators expressed concerns about these plasticizers, after various tests identified phthalate plasticizers, to be causing health problems in rodents, regarding the development of reproductive organs in males. The European Union (EU) banned the use of these phthalate plasticizers, including DEPH in children's products.