Environment Minister Connie Hedegaard expresses in her reply to MP Keld Albrechtsen (the Red-Green Alliance) that the new study from the Technical University of Denmark, that points out a correlation between the induction of asthma and the exposure to phthalates in the home environment, is not that clear that on this background there is a need for interventions. The Environment Minister further says that the phthalates in it self are not allergenic, but that they might increase the effect of other allergenic substances. Besides it is informed that under the government’s strategy programme for the environment and health there is already a study in preparation to examine the correlation between the allergenic increasing effect of phthalates and the induction of allergy. This study is expected finalized in 2005. The Environment Minister will not take any further steps until this study has been completed.
 
The Environment Minister’s statement about the study of Technical University of Denmark, where the correlation between asthma and phthalates is pointed out, is supplemented with a memo from the EPA. In the memo the EPA says the new study is not that clear that on this background there is a basis for a regulation of the use of phthalates in flooring.
 
“The present information provides no basis for removing the old PVC flooring,” the EPA says. Besides, the EPA says, that the choice of new flooring materials should be taken from a total life cycle assessment of the environmental and health aspects of the material. Finally the EPA points out that the most important thing is to be careful to have a proper ventilation and remove the dust, since it will reduce several potential risk factors.” The EPA therefore recommends to make clean and provide for a good ventilation.

See also:
Breaking news on this website:
11-08-2004: Danish Asthma-Allergy Organization makes Reservations to new Report on Phthalates
and
press coverage:
19-08-2004: Asthma Study meets severe Criticism
13-08-2004: Danish Asthma-Allergy Organization criticizes Asthma study
10-08-2004: Plastic Flooring suspected to induce Asthma and Allergy in Children