Reducing the Use of PVC Medical Devices Containing DEHP
PVC, or vinyl, plastic – the most widely used plastic in medical devices – can be harmful to patients, the environment and public health. There are two key problems associated with PVC:
- Dioxin, a known human carcinogen, can be formed during the manufacture of PVC, and during the incineration or burning of PVC products.
- DEHP, a phthalate used to soften PVC plastic that can leach from PVC medical devices, is linked to reproductive birth defects and other illnesses, according to animal studies.
Regional hospitals phasing out PVC/DEHP products include:
- Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center, Seattle;
- Group Health Cooperative, Special Care Nursery, Capitol Hill Campus;
- Evergreen Hospitals, Children’s Services;
- St Joseph Medical Center, Tacoma; St. Clare Hospital, Lakewood; and
- St. Francis Hospital.
Read the Case Study on Evergreen Hospital’s Special Care Nursery and PVC/DEHP phase out: http://www.noharm.org/details.cfm?ID=1276&type=document
See the List of 110 Hospitals committed to making the change. http://www.noharm.org/us/pvcDehp/hospitalsreducingpvc
Read the Washington State Public Health Association resolution encouraging phase out of PVC/DEHP medical products. http://www.wspha.org/Resolution_05-04.pdf; and
Read the Washington State Medical Association Resolution encouraging alternatives to PVC medical devices containing DEHP (2005 Resolution 16-A): http://www.wsma.org/about/actions.pdf
Learn more about PVC and DEHP in medical products from Health Care Without Harm: http://www.noharm.org/us/pvcDehp/issue
National Toxicology Program Report, which affirms concerns for health impacts of DEHP on the male reproductive tract:
http://cerhr.niehs.nih.gov/chemicals/dehp/DEHP-Monograph.pdf
