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Plasticizers are essential
to manufacture flexible PVC products. A number of plasticizers can
be used in PVC. But in Western Europe, phthalates have been very
widely used as plasticizers for PVC products constituting almost
90% of all plasticizers used. Migration of these phthalates from
toys while chewing by toddlers was a major concern. In fact,
a restriction was put on the use of phthalates for such applications
until sufficient evidence is obtained to prove their influence.
In the mean time, another plasticizer called Acetyl Tributyl Citrate
( ATBC) was considered for such delicate applications. The European
Commission's scientific committee on toxicity, eco toxicity and
the environment (CSTEE) has concluded that Toxicology/Regulatory
Services Inc's (Charlotteville, USA) 2003 standard measurement of
ATBC's potential to leach into human saliva is "of good quality".
To obtain a clear picture of a risk assessment report on Acetyl
Tributyl Citrate (ATBC) as plasticizer used in children's toys,
the following questions have been posed :
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Is the CSTEE of the opinion that the risk assessment is of
a good quality? |
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Is the CSTEE of the opinion that the risk assessment has provided
sufficient sound scientific evidence to show that toys plasticized
with Acetyl Tributyl Citrate can be safely used by children? |
In conclusion, the CSTEE is of the opinion that the current risk
assessment report is of a good quality and has provided sufficient
sound scientific evidence to show that toys plasticized with
Acetyl Tributyl Citrate(ATBC) can be safely mouthed by children.
These conclusions will help the EU develop toy safety policies.
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