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Soft Flexible Plastics May Present Risk of Cancer

© Maggie Herman

A study released by the Chronic Hazard Advisory Panel (CHAP)—a committee convened by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)—has concluded that diisononyl phthalate (DINP) probably does not present a serious health risk to those that are exposed to the chemical, even though DINP has been linked to cancer in animal studies.

The study, released by CHAP on June 15th, concluded that the chemical, which is used to make plastic products soft and flexible, poses little or no health threat because consumers are typically not exposed to DINP in doses plausibly associated with risk of cancer. However, CHAP did conclude that children who routinely mouth DINP-containing toys for more 75 minutes or more daily are at risk for developing cancer.

In September 2000, CHAP announced that it would likely conclude that DINP did not present a significant risk of cancer, but that a risk of toxic liver damage was a concern. Currently, the CSPC has established that 150 micrograms per kilogram per day is an acceptable level of phthalate exposure.

However, some consumer groups believe that stricter standards regarding the use of DINP and other polyvinyl chlorides (PVCs) are needed. For instance, Greenpeace advocates a phase-out of all consumer products containing PVCs, which use DINP and other phthalates as softeners. According to Greenpeace, in addition to the negative environmental impact posed by PVCs, DINP and other phthalates can leach out of soft plastic products. The organization notes that the leaching presents a particular problem in soft plastic products that are mouthed by young children. Greenpeace cites several successful PVC bans involving infant toys in a number of countries, including Argentina, Austria, Denmark, France, Fiji, Finland, Greece, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Norway, Sweden, and Tunisia.

The Public Interest Research Group has been critical of the CHAP study, citing concerns that the study was incomplete in that it did not consider the cummulative effects of all phthalte exposure or examine different forms of exposure. PVCs are used in a number of household and consumer products including vinyl floor coverings, vinyl wallpaper, window blinds, shower curtains, credit cards, records, toys, pens, imitation leather products, and garden furniture.

Industry groups, however, support the CHAP findings. The Toy Industry Association has stated that it believes toys containing phthalates pose no acute hazards. The American Chemistry Counsel (ACC) also has stated that DINP does not present any significant health risks for adults or children. The ACC also maintains that DINP is not toxic to the liver.

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