| Author | Subject: Important Health Information - FDA notification |
| tcpbb | Posted At 14:23:49 03/17/2003 Hi everyone, I am a nurse who recently became aware of an issue called DEHP exposure. DEHP is a plasticizer added to PVC to make it soft. But DEHP does not bind with plastic so it leaches out. DEHP is found in many medical products including IV bags. DEHP exposure has many health consequences so the FDA put out a notification. Please read this link for the notifiacation. http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/safety/dehp.html I know there is so much to worry about today and I am not trying to make anyone have any more worries. But DEHP is a very serious issue and I am outraged that hospitals still use products that could potentially harm patients, especially when there are safe alternatives availiable. Please let me know if you are aware or concerned about this issue. Thank you. |
| Beth Witten | Re: Important Health Information - FDA notification (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 23:11:05 03/21/2003 It appears animals have shown problems when exposed to DEHP from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) devices. In animals, this has affected the male reproductive system. The FDA reports that tests have not confirmed nor ruled out that the same problem may exist in people. Therefore in 2002, the FDA posted this advisory on its web site to warn people that come in contact with PVC devices. The FDA says in this advisory that the most at-risk groups are pregnant hemodialysis patients carrying male children and very young male babies or males who have not yet gone through puberty and are on hemodialysis. If you are concerned about your risk, talk with your doctor, nurse and/or the supplier of your dialysis supplies. Be sure to give them the web site if they have not seen the advisory. |