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Danish Asthma-Allergy Organization makes Reservations to new Report on Phthalates
Danish-Swedish group of scientists pointing on association between Phthalates and Asthma
11-08-2004
Scientists of the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) have published a study that report statistically significant associations between levels of phthalates in the home environment and the induction of rhinitis, asthma and eczema. They assert that phthalate plasticizers in the home environment make the major risk of promoting allergy and asthma in children and that their results have global implications.
The results of the study have been published in the Environmental Health Perspectives on July 15: “The Association Between Asthma and Allergic Symptoms in Children and Phthalates in House Dust: a Nested Case-Control Study”. The results were presented at a press conference at the DTU on August 10. At the press meeting a press release was handed out, which can be read here.
Both the Danish Asthma-Allergy Organization and the European phthalate industry make reservations to the conclusions of the study that has had a wide press covering.
According to the Danish Asthma-Allergy Organization’s press release both the organization and a well-reputed Danish expert on allergies do not think you can conclude so sharply, as done in the report. Arne Høst, consulting doctor of the University Hospital of Odense, is quoted in the press release: “Heredity factors may be causing that many parents of allergy pre-disposed children have been advised to have smooth flooring – in particular in the child’s bedroom. Smooth flooring is easier to keep clean compared to e.g. carpets, and thus you avoid accumulating allergenic substances – e.g. dust mites and allergens from animals. The smooth flooring need not be the cause of the symptoms. It might as well be the other way around”, says Arne Høst, who is concerned that the conclusion of the press release will get many media to bring the message further without any reservations.
The Danish Asthma-Allergy Organization says that even though there have been found high levels of phthalates in the homes that were subject to the study, it does not necessarily mean that it is the phthalates that are causing the children’s symptoms.
The European phthalate industry, ECPI, is also very sceptical to the findings of the study. According to the industry the study makes an extremely weak correlation between the incidence of asthma and the use of phthalate plasticizers. Furthermore, the industry believes that the study is flawed as it does not appear to take into consideration a number of key factors, which are widely known and accepted as being significant contributors to asthma and other respiratory diseases. The ECPI’s comments to the study can be read here.
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