Response to Greenpeace Allegations about Phthalates in Children's Toys

American Chemistry Council
Phthalate Esters Panel

This paper provides information about phthalate esters used in toys in order to respond to concerns raised by a Greenpeace International.

Phthalate esters are a family of compounds generally used as plasticizers (softeners) in various plastics. For toy industry applications, phthalate esters are used to make flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

The Phthalate Esters Panel was chartered in 1973. The Panel represents members before federal and state agencies in all matters relating to safety and health issues arising out of the use of phthalate esters. Since that time, the Panel has conducted extensive research to evaluate this class of chemicals.

Phthalate esters have been used since the 1940's and have been extensively studied. Although endocrine modulation is a relatively new hypothesis, the Panel is working very closely with government and industry to determine the validity of recent allegations. There is currently no validated evidence that phthalate esters act as endocrine modulators in humans or wildlife at the normally low concentrations found in the environment.

In revisiting Greenpeace's specific conclusions regarding the use of phthalate esters in PVC toys, we would like to provide clarification.

Greenpeace Claim

Phthalate esters bioaccumulate in body fat and biodegrade slowly in the environment creating the potential for long-term exposure.

Response

Data show that phthalate esters readily degrade in the environment and do not persist. They have also been shown to metabolize rapidly without accumulating in the body.

Phthalate esters biodegrade and are metabolized quickly. In fact, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined, based on criteria established from the Great Lakes Initiative, that phthalate esters are not considered bioaccumulative chemicals of concern.

Greenpeace Claim

Children are particularly at risk from PVC toys because sucking or chewing on the toys leads to a direct bodily dose of plasticizer. In addition, children absorb chemicals faster through the skin and intestines.

Response

The Environmental Protection Agency has, as recently as January 1997, answered the question "Should parents try to keep infants and children from playing with or chewing on plastic objects?" by stating, "At present, EPA does not believe the scientific evidence supports this recommendation..."

Greenpeace Claim

Phthalate exposure is associated with chronic and often serious health problems.

Response

The Panel is not aware of any scientific research or data that has shown an association between human exposure to phthalate esters and chronic or serious health problems.

Greenpeace Claim

The concern over phthalates is emerging due to endocrine disruption in laboratory studies, which are considered "reliably indicative" of humans due to the evolutionary process. There are severe health effects from endocrine disruption (known or suspected).

Response

The ACC Phthalate Esters Panel recognizes endocrine modulation as an area of concern. However, there is no validated evidence to show that at realistic exposure levels, phthalate esters demonstrate any adverse health effects in humans or wildlife.

As a result of initial screening studies, the industry plans to conduct focused animal research and appropriate risk assessment evaluations. The results of these studies will be provided to appropriate government agencies. Research results continue to demonstrate that under realistic exposure levels, phthalate esters do not pose a health risk to humans.

Greenpeace Claim

Government organizations are investigating the impacts of chemicals on the endocrine system.

Response

Government and industry act responsibly when they investigate the validity of allegations concerning public health. These investigations help ensure that claims made about chemicals, products or practices which question health effects, are based on sound science. The Phthalate Esters Panel is working closely with government agencies and others to determine the validity of claims pertaining to phthalate esters. However, there is currently no validated evidence that phthalate esters, under realistic exposure levels, pose a significant health risk to humans.

Conclusion

Research will continue to increase our understanding of the effects, if any, that chemicals may have on the endocrine system and the environment. The National Academy of Sciences currently is preparing a comprehensive review of the overall issue. In addition, the EPA recently published a report on endocrine research needs and announced a program to fund research in areas identified. The Chemical Industry Institute of Toxicology (CIIT), a laboratory funded by over 40 chemical companies, has established a program that focuses on understanding the ways by which chemicals may interact with endocrine receptors, how the effect of a chemical varies with dose and with other factors, and how best to measure endocrine-related health effects.

The ACC Phthalate Esters Panel recognizes the need for further investigation of the endocrine modulation theory, and has completed studies of commercial phthalate esters. Results does not show any estrogenic effects of phthalate esters in live animal testing.

The plasticizer industry, however, plans to continue endocrine research followed by risk assessment evaluations. The results of these studies will be provided to EPA and other government agencies. Results to date do not indicate a human health hazard under realistic exposure scenarios.