BPF sceptical on US phthalate study

The study, led by Dr Shanna Swan of the University of Rochester, New York and published in the International Journal of Andrology, linked the less-than-typical behaviour by boys ages 4-7 with normal prenatal levels of either DBP, dibutyl phthalate, or DEHP, diethylhexyl phthalate.

A BPF spokesman said: “The British Plastics Federation urges great caution when assessing the results of the study.

“The author’s recognition that the study’s results are ‘not straightforward’ is an understatement. This study uses a relatively small sample and a simplistic approach which has produced conclusions that fly in the face of the body of scientific evidence. Phthalates are some of the most widely studied chemicals in the world. Rigorous EU risk assessments and studies by other internationally respected scientific bodies have consistently proved the safety of phthalates for their current uses.

“Furthermore, in response to Dr Swan’s study, the American Chemistry Council has stated that ‘the researchers have selectively excluded data, eliminating certain subjects from the analysis, in order to strengthen their conclusion.’

“Chemical safety is of paramount importance to the plastics industry which has invested heavily in researching the substances it uses. Moreover, the new European Chemical Regulation, Reach, will ensure further rigorous evaluation and testing of chemical substances and their uses.”

* The PVC Plasticisers 2010 conference, organised by European Plastics News, takes place on 10-11 February 2010, in Brussels, Belgium. For more information email jnoakes@crain.com

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