DEHP - one of the world's most commonly used plasticisers
An information resource on the plasticiser di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)
 Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is one of the most cost effective and widely available general purpose plasticisers. It is used mainly for making PVC soft and pliable and in Western Europe it accounts for just under 20% of all plasticiser usage.
DEHP (CAS No [117-81-7]) is also known as di-octyl phthalate (DOP). It is the phthalate ester of the alcohol 2-ethyl hexanol, which is normally manufactured by the dimerisation of butyraldehyde, the butyraldehyde itself being synthesised from propylene.
DEHP is a plasticiser which offers a good all-round performance and is therefore used for a great many cost-effective, general purpose products. It possesses reasonable plasticising efficiency, fusion rate and viscosity (of great importance for plastisol applications).
EU Risk Assessment confirms no general risk to human health from DEHP
The European Union has confirmed that DEHP poses no general risk to human health. The summary of a comprehensive European risk assessment, involving nearly 15 years of extensive scientific evaluation by EU regulators, was published in the EU Official Journal on February 7 2008 (Commission Communication C/2008 34/1 and Commission Recommendation L 33/8)
You can read more about the DEHP risk assessment here and on page 3 of issue 11 of the industry newsletter "Inform".
The nomination of DEHP for inclusion on the EU Candidate List of substances to undergo authorisation.
On 30 June 2008, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) published a list of chemical substances nominated by European Union national governments for inclusion on the REACH authorisation "candidate list". As expected, DEHP was included on the list due to its EU hazard classification.
The nomination of DEHP for inclusion on the Candidate list for authorisation has no immediate effect on the production, marketing or use of this substance in Europe.
DEHP - the choice of medical device manufacturers
Soft PVC in medical devices saves thousands of lives and increases the comfort and safety of millions of patients every year. No other material meets all the vital performance qualities demanded by health professionals and at such affordable prices.
No grounds for restrictions say EU scientists
The European Union’s Scientific Committee on Medicinal Products and Medical Devices has published an Opinion on the use of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) in medical devices saying that it can make no recommendations to limit its use, even for the most highly exposed patients.
Report challenges religious activism behind bogus medical vinyl scare
A long running campaign to rid hospitals and other health care facilities of medical vinyl products – endorsed by a variety of religious supporters – has dangerously overstated the risks associated with vinyl (PVC) use and diverted attention from much more serious health threats, according to a report from the Acton Institute.
Levels of phthalates in household dust are not of concern
A study on the levels of chemicals found in household dust has confirmed that those of phthalate plasticisers pose no risk to human health.
Contrary to inferences by Greenpeace that the levels found in a study of 100 homes in the UK is concerning, their figures actually show that the levels are well within recognised safety limits, even assuming worst-case scenarios.
The risk in connection with plasticisers in PVC is clearly exaggerated
 Suspected risks must be balanced against patient benefit, and the risk of cancer in connection with plasticisers is clearly exaggerated - these are two of the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare's conclusions in a report to the government.
A great many medical products are made of PVC plastics with plasticiser, an additive which ever since the 1970s has been discussed as being a potentially dangerous substance. "The Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare's report gives a further green light for the use of PVC products in medical treatment - a clarification which is important and urgent", says the Swedish Association of Suppliers of Medical Devices [SLF] in a commentary.
Denmark: Much more data needed before DEHP can be substituted
The Danish EPA has issued an Evaluation of Plasticisers for PVC for Medical Devices which involved looking at nine possible alternatives and making a comparison with DEHP. The report says that none of the substances was rejected as potential alternatives but that much more data are needed before DEHP can be seriously substituted in medial devices.
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