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The Danish Ministry of the Environment releases Status Report on Phthalates
The Intention of the Danish EPA is now that there should be differentiated among the Phthalates
04-08-2003
The Danish EPA has just released a status report on phthalates. The report describes the consumption of phthalates in Denmark and updates the reader on the aspects in connection to environment and health. According to the status report the consumption in Denmark is estimated to have fallen by 15% since 1995.
It is characteristic for the report that contrary to earlier reports of the Danish EPA on phthalates, it concludes that based on the provisional conclusions from the EU risk assessments, a differentiation among the various phthalates might probably be made.
In this connection it is decisive, whether the phthalate in question is classified as toxic or not. Based on animal tests, the most commonly used phthalate, DEHP, is i.e. classified as harmful to reproduction and embryos. Contrary to this, the second most used phthalate, DINP, is not classified. Even though DINP in high doses has shown detrimental effects in test animals, it is concluded that these results are not relevant in connection with human beings.
The report says that the Danish EPA shall take part in influencing the development of the use of phthalates in the EU. This shall be done with a progressive initiative, where, based on the EU risk assessments, the aim should be a joint EU regulation. This with a view to the competitiveness of Danish companies.
The report concludes that if the risk assessments of the EU for the classified phthalates, DEHP, DBP and BBP are not completed before 2004, a national ban should be considered. This ban shall take all aspects of each single phthalate into consideration as to applications, danger and exposure.
In the status report the Danish EPA lists the following six future initiatives in the phthalate field:
· Prioritising Danish participation in the completion and follow-up of the risk assessments in the EU.
· On completion of the risk assessments and the thereon following initiatives in EU, the present Danish initiatives are to be assessed to ensure that these efforts are carried out in the most proper and suitable manner as regards health.
· If the risk assessments are not completed in 2004, a Danish ban will be considered based on a review of use patterns, danger and exposure relations.
· Danish Commerce and Service has drawn up a plan to phase out the use of phthalates in toys for children between the age of 3 and 6.
· The Ministry of the Environment will continue to support the development of and information about alternatives to phthalates to assist Danish companies.
The Ministry of the Environment will continue to carry out information activities aimed at purchasers in the public sector and the retail trade.
The Danish report includes a summary in English.
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