>> More DEHP contaminated products detected
>> DEHP contaminated products still in market
Toxic DEHP (diethylhexylphthalate) accounts anywhere between to 20-40% of materials used in medical equipment and tools, an expert said.
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| Medical equipment contains shocking amounts of toxic chemical DEHP (Illustration photo) |
People are only aware of the bad effects of DEHP in their food, but remain in the dark about several other products, including clothes, packaging, medicine and childrens\' toys, said Doctor Nguyen Chan Hung, from the Ho Chi Minh City Cancer Association, at a conference on “DEHP and the community health” held on July 13.
According to the doctor, DEHP is an organic substance and industrial additive widely used for producing plastic. DEHP can make up anywhere between 1% and 40% of plastic products.
This, of course, includes a lot of medical equipment used by hospitals, that tend to be made out of PVC. This can affect the health of patients and increase the risk of cancers and reproductive problems.
Nguyen Thi Huynh Mai, Deputy Head of the Department of Food Safety and Hygiene in Ho Chi Minh City, said over the past two months, the department found high levels of the chemical in products of 13 out of 17 food products checked.
Specifically, the products included ‘Possmei’ tapioca pearls, ‘Brand’ calcium and vitamin tablets, ‘Heysong Fruit House’ orange juice, ‘Uni-President’ Pro Sweat sport and asparagus drinks, ‘TaiYen’ collagen powder, Taiwan’s ‘Yes’ water and ‘Bio Chain’ Power-Lac nutrition powder.