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EPA does not any longer consider Phthalates as one big problematic Group of Substances
Conclusions of the EU risk assessments point in the same direction
07-07-2004
For businesses, that use phthalates in their production, the new, revised list of undesirable substances of the Danish EPA is of interest. In the new issue the paragraph on phthalates differs in one decisive respect from the previous list that was issued in 2000. In the 2000 issue of the list the paragraph on phthalates is simply called phthalates, while the paragraph of the new issue has been changed to certain phthalates.
Thus, phthalates are not any longer considered as one group of substances, that as a group is considered undesirable, on the contrary now as a number of single substances with various environmental and health aspects. The list of undesirable substances is, according to the Danish EPA, to be considered as a signal and guideline to the businesses about chemicals, where the use on a long view ought to be reduced or totally stopped.
That the phthalates are to be considered individually is also the conclusion that the EU risk assessments have reached as regards the group of substances. The assessments are not yet finalized. The conclusions of the toxicologists are still awaiting the acknowledgement of the so-called Article 15 Committee, until they can be published in the EU Official Journal. This is expected to take place by the beginning of 2005.
The DINP and DIDP risk assessments can already be read on the EU European Chemicals Bureau (ECB) website. As for DEHP preparations for a risk reduction strategy are going on. There will only be a few applications, where risk reductions will be carried out. This will also apply for the phthalates BBP and DBP, while DINP will not be considered problematic. However, apart from in toys for little children, where there might be introduced some limitations of the use.
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