Phthalates Links

1. Factual Phthalates links

Some of the websites providing reliable scientific information on Phthalates:

1.1 Institutions addressing phthalates in general
1.2 Institutions addressing phthalates in toys

2. Other views

Sites suggesting that Phthalates pose:

2.1 more risks
2.2 less risks

Other Links

Sites linking to this Digest

1. Factual links on Phthalates

1.1 Institutions addressing phthalates in general

• 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:
  europa.eu.int/comm/health/ph_risk/committees/sct/sct_opinions_en.htm
  
  In response to this assessment, the Official Journal of the European Union (EU) published the recent (April 2006) Commission recommendation on risk reduction measures for different phthalates:
  www.ecpimembers.org/docs/issues/167_N_iss_3258_1723.pdf,
  as well as the Commission Communication on the results of the risk evaluation and the risk reduction strategies for those substances:
  www.ecpimembers.org/docs/issues/167_N_iss_3038_1724.pdf.
  
  
• 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.eu.int/science/afc/catindex_en.html
  • for DBP: 1141_en.html
  • for DIDP: 1143_en.html
  • for DINP: 1144_en.html
    

• The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration (DVFA) published a report in 2003 on "Human exposure to selected phthalates in Denmark":
  www.foedevarestyrelsen.dk/FDir/Publications/2003015/Rapport.pdf
  
  
• The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) gives general information on phthalates and more specific information on different kinds of phthalates at:
  www.cdc.gov/exposurereport/3rd/results_06.htm
  

1.2 Institutions addressing phthalates in toys

• Opinions of the E.U. Scientific Committee on Toxicity, Ecotoxicity and the Environment (CSTEE) are posted at
  europa.eu.int/comm/health/ph_risk/committees/sct/sct_opinions_en.htm
  • 1998 CSTEE opinion on "Phthalate migration from soft PVC toys and child-care articles": out12_en.pdf
  • 2001 CTEE opinion sct_out92_en.htm on the 2000 report "The Availability of Substitutes for Soft PVC Containing Phthalates in Certain Toys and Childcare Articles"
    (www.rpaltd.co.uk/tools/downloads/reports/phthalates.pdf)
    

• The European Commission decision to prohibit the use of phthalates in in children's toys in the European Union:
  1999: http://ec.europa.eu/scadplus/leg/en/lvb/l32033.htm
  followed by a 2005 directive under which three phthalates, namely DEHP, DBP and BBP, will be banned in all toys and childcare articles. DINP, DIDP and DNOP, will be banned from use in toys and childcare articles if those articles can be put in the mouth by children.

2. Other views

The links in this section have been selected as examples of other views on Phthalates. This list of links is only a sample and neither pretends to be complete nor fully representative of all the views available.
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/chemicals-detail2
  
  
• Not Too Pretty discusses phthalates in cosmetics.www.nottoopretty.org
  
  
• 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