Phthalate Links

1. Factual links

   Some of the websites providing factual information on Phthalate :

   • 1.1 Institutions addressing phthalates in general
   • 1.2 Institutions addressing phthalates and health risks to children
2. Other Views
   • 2.1 Sites suggesting that Phthalates pose more risks
   • 2.2 Sites suggesting that Phthalates pose less risks

1. Factual links

1.1 Institutions addressing phthalates in general

• The European Chemicals Bureau (ECB), published risk assessment reports on several phthalates including five of the most widely used ones: DEHP, DBP, DIDP, DINP and BBP. Summaries by GreenFacts are available at: www.greenfacts.org/en/digests/phthalates.htm
• The opinions of the Scientific Committee on Toxicity, Ecotoxicity and the Environment (CSTEE) on the results of the ECB risk assessment of different phthalates are posted at:
  http://europa.eu.int/comm/health/ph_risk/committees/sct/sct_opinions_en.htm  
  • for  DEHP
  • for  DINP
  • for DIDP
  • for DBP
• The European Commission published two communications on phthalates in 2006:
  • on risk reduction measures for different phthalates: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/ 
  • on the results of the risk evaluation and the risk reduction strategies for those substances: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/ 
• The Panel on food additives, flavourings, processing aids and materials in contact with food (AFC) of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) gives its opinion on the use of certain phthalates in food contact materials at: www.efsa.europa.eu/EFSA/ScientificPanels/AFC/ 
  • for DBP 
  • for DIDP 
  • for DINP 
  • for DEHP  
  • for BBP 
• The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration (DVFA) published a report in 2003 on "Human exposure to selected phthalates in Denmark":
   http://gl.foedevarestyrelsen.dk/FDir/Publications/2003015/Rapport.pdf
• The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides general information on phthalates and more specific information on different kinds of phthalates at:
   www.cdc.gov/exposurereport/pdf/results_06.pdf

1.2 Institutions addressing phthalates and health risks to children

• The European ban of the use of six phthalates in soft PVC toys and childcare articles by a Commission decision in 1999 followed by a directive in 2005. More information at:
  http://ec.europa.eu/scadplus/leg/ 
• Upon request by Directorate General Enterprise of the European Commission a report on "The Availability of Substitutes for Soft PVC Containing Phthalates in Certain Toys and Childcare Articles" was prepared by RPA Ltd. in association with the Research Institute for Toxicology (Utrecht University). The report is available at:  www.rpaltd.co.uk/documents/phthalates_000.pdf
• Opinions of the E.U. Scientific Committee on Toxicity, Ecotoxicity and the Environment:
  • 1998 opinion on "Phthalate migration from soft PVC toys and child-care articles", available at:  out12_en.pdf
  • 2001 opinionon the RPA report on "The Availability of Substitutes for Soft PVC Containing Phthalates in Certain Toys and Childcare Articles", available at: sct_out92_en.htm 
• The Canadian government has taken actions to increase the safety of consumers, especially children with regard to the presence of phthalates. More information at: www.chemicalsubstanceschimiques.gc.ca/ 

2. Other Views

Links in this section have been selected as examples of other views on DBP. This list of links is only a sample and it is not suggested that it is complete nor that it is fully representative of all the existing views. GreenFacts asbl takes no position concerning the views expressed in these linked documents.

2.1 Sites suggesting that Phthalates pose more risks

• Children's Health Environmental Coalition (CHEC) presents information on sources of phthalates, associated health risks and ways to avoid exposure:
  www.checnet.org/healthehouse/chemicals/ 
• Our Stolen Future discusses health concerns about phthalates and regulatory issues:
  www.ourstolenfuture.org/NewScience/oncompounds/phthalates 
• The UK Organic Natural Health website proposes an article on dibutyl phthalate:
  www.health-report.co.uk/phthalates.html 

2.2 Sites suggesting that Phthalates pose less risks

• The Phthalate Information Center website compiled by the Phthalate Esters Panel of the American Chemistry Council offers the view on phthalates of major manufacturers of phthalates and users of phthalates: www.phthalates.org 
• The Reason Public Policy Institute website proposes an article entitled "Phthalates and Human Health: Demystifying the Risks of Plastic-Softening Chemicals": www.rppi.org/peg2.html 
• The European Council for Plasticisers and Intermediates (ECPI) publishes a site on PVC toys:
  www.pvc-toys.com