Dr. C. Everett Koop, American Council on Science and Health Deserves Nation’s Thanks for Setting the Record Straight On the Safety of Plasticizers in Vinyl Plastic

A Statement by Tim Burns, Executive Director,
The Vinyl Institute,
Washington, D.C., June 22, 1999

The American people owe a debt of gratitude to Dr. C. Everett Koop and the American Council on Science and Health for making it clear that the use of plasticizers in vinyl toys and vinyl medical products is harmless. As the panel of 17 distinguished scientists and physicians said in their report, "the chemicals DINP and DEHP, used to make toys and medical devices soft and flexible, are safe and pose no harm to adults or children."

For too long, a small group of activists have unnecessarily frightened parents and people under medical care with false allegations of dangers from plasticizers used in vinyl plastic. With 40 years of proven safe use of vinyl products, common sense told us that the activists were pursuing a political agenda, not a scientific one. Now, some of the nation’s most eminent, respected and knowledgeable doctors and scientists have confirmed the safety of our products.

In the case of toys, the Council said, "DINP in toys is not harmful for children who use these toys normally."

In the case of medical products, the Council went even further, saying: "DEHP, as used in medical devices, is not harmful to humans even under chronic or higher-than-average conditions of exposure. DEHP confers considerable benefits to certain medical devices and procedures and its elimination without a suitable substitute could pose a significant health risk to some individuals."

These findings should reassure the public that vinyl toys and medical products can safely continue to play the major role they have served in society for several decades. As Dr. Koop urged, "Smoking, excessive drinking, drug use, accidents in the home, unprotected sex, poor nutrition, lack of exercise – these are the demons that lead us along the road to sickness and death. The enemy is not tiny amounts of chemicals that have proved safe over many years."

We strongly urge the media to give the report of the American Council on Science and Health and Dr. Koop’s admonition the widest possible dissemination. People have a right to know the truth – the difference between science and scaremongering – and the right to be free of unfounded fear. This report provides a large measure of that freedom.

###

For further information contact:

Tim Burns or Mark Sofman
The Vinyl Institute
(703) 741-5700

or

David A. Meeker
Edward Howard & Co.
(330) 376-6500