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	PVC flooring, once associated with older, utilitarian-style buildings, is becoming increasingly popular again, thanks to its versatility, performance and wide range of styles available. More
	Phthalate plasticisers have been safely used for more than 50 years and are not endangering human health or the environment. Some environmental groups have taken a different position. We explain why they are wrong. More

Phthalates - commonly used plasticisers Phthalates (pronounced THAL-ates) are the most commonly used plasticisers in the world. They are a family of chemical substances that have been in use for about 50 years, primarily to make polyvinyl chloride (PVC) soft and flexible. Although the various kinds in use today have some structural similarity, each one is different in the way it performs. More ... Applications More than 90% of phthalates produced in Europe are used to plasticise PVC. We use many PVC products every day but tend to take many of them for granted. They include everything from lifesaving medical devices such as medical tubing and blood bags, to footwear, electrical cables, packaging, stationery, toys and roofIng. More ... Links to news articles of interest Can Plastic Change Your Sex? Forbes Thursday November 19, 2009 Once upon a time--this week, actually--mothers all over the world woke up and wondered whether their little boys were increasingly behaving like little girls. The cause for this sudden concern: a new study claiming chemicals in everyday plastics might be feminising their brains. Was this a feminist plot to end patriarchy and violence? A cunning plan by doll manufacturers in a hitherto-hidden war with toy-truck makers? A long-term strategy to improve the growth potential of grooming products for men? No, it was just another study that the media rushed into publication without any pause to examine how it was assembled. Read the full story on Forbes.com ... -------------------- The truth about phthalates ... The American Council on Science and Health, Friday October 16, 2009 There have recently been reports in the media over certain plastic chemicals called phthalates and their potential impact on human health. However, much of the information being circulated on the safety of these chemicals is inaccurate. Read more on the ACSH website ... -------------------- Poison experts attack 'hysteria' over chemicals The Observer (UK) Sunday September 18, 2005 Britain's leading poison experts united last week to denounce pressure groups for mounting a 'hysterical, scaremongering' campaign about dangerous chemicals in the environment. Read the full story on the Observer website ... EU Phthalate Risk Assessments Five phthalates have undergone EU assessments to determine whether they pose any risk to human health or the environment. Those for diisononyl phthalate (DINP) and diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP) show no risks to human health or the environment for any current use. The risk assessment for di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) shows no risk to the general population. More ... More information on phthalates Phthalate Information Center - USA Dansk Phthalat Information Centre français d'informations sur les phtalates Centro Italiano d'informazione sugli ftalati Centrum för ftalatinformation i Sverige DINP Information Centre DIDP Information Centre DEHP Information Centre DBP Information Centre DIBP Information Centre BBP Information Centre DEP Information Centre European Council for Plasticisers and Intermediates Plasticisers Information Centre GreenFacts - facts on health and the environment Receive Updates To receive alerts when information on this website is updated, please use RSS

Other news Prenatal exposure Study claiming to show prenatal exposure to DEHP and DBP has feminising effect on young boys should be treated with extreme caution says ECPI More         --------------- Chemical cocktails Plasticiser industry comments on the Danish Environment Ministry chemical awareness campaign "65,000 grunde til bedre kemi"  More         --------------- Autism expert doubts link with vinyl floors Researchers also admit link is "baffling and inconclusive." More         --------------- Are human sperm counts really decreasing? Why you should be cautious about reports alleging that sperm counts have decreased. And why phthalates are not contributing to it. More         --------------- No risk from phthalates in cosmetic products says EU Scientific Committee An official European Union scientific committee has confirmed that people using cosmetics which contain phthalates are not endangering their health. More         --------------- EU confirms phthalate plasticisers are safe The European Commission has confirmed that two of the most widely-used phthalate plasticisers pose no risks to either human health or the environment from their current use. More           --------------- Breast milk study does not show what is claimed say experts A new study claims to show a statistical link between the amount of phthalates found in breast milk and the levels of sex hormones in babies. It does not, say experts. More           --------------- NIH Panel Unable to Validate Key Finding in Swan Phthalate Baby Study Independent experts find no correlation between phthalates and biomarkers for reproduction More       --------------- Male Fertility NOT harmed by Phthalates - study Reuters news story on the results of a new study conducted in Sweden. More