Environmental and Health Assesment of Alternatives to Phthalates and to flexible PVC

Foreword

In June 1999 the Danish strategy and action plan to reduce PVC and phthalate plasticisers in flexible plastics was published. The aim of the plan is a 50% reduction in the use. The Danish EPA has initiated a range of projects on issues related to substitution of PVC and phthalate plasticisers following publishing.

The present project is a forecast of the use, exposure, and possible health and environmental effects of several alternative plasticisers and of two ma-terials suggested for substitution of flexible PVC.

The project report comprises a main summarising section and an appendix section containing detailed data sheets and other information on each sub-stance and material evaluated.

The project was commenced in January 2000 and completed in December 2000. The contained information reflects the data available to the project team at that time. An advisory group has followed the project during the preparation. The members were:

Lea Frimann Hansen - Danish EPA (chairman) Pernille Andersen - The Graphic Association of Denmark (GA)
Annette Harbo - The Danish Paintmakers Association Ole Ladefoged - The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration 
Pernille Thomsen - The Danish Plastics Federation, Denmark (to 31.07.00) Lars Blom - The Danish Plastics Federation, Denmark (from 01.08.00)
Annette Tølløse - The Danish Medicines Agency Bent Horn Andersen - National Working Environment Authority Aage Feddersen - Federation of Danish Textile and Clothing (FDTC) 
Frank Stuer-Lauridsen - COWI

The project was carried out by COWI Consulting Engineers & Planners by a team of consultants consisting of Frank Stuer-Lauridsen (project manager), Sonja Mikkelsen, Sven Havelund, Morten Birkved and Lisbet P. Hansen.