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NIH Media Advisory
Independent Panel to Evaluate
a Chemical Used in Some Plastics (Di {2-ethylhexyl} phthalate) for
Hazards to Human Development or Reproduction
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| What: |
An independent panel of 11 scientists convened by the Center
for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction (CERHR), of the NIEHS
and National Toxicology Program, will review recent scientific data and
reach conclusions regarding whether or not exposure to DEHP (di (2-ethylhexyl)
phthalate) is a hazard to human development or reproduction. The 2.5 day
meeting is open to members of the public and the media. A press availability
period will immediately follow the meeting at approximately noon on October
12th. |
| When: |
Monday, October 10, 2005, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday, October 11, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 12, 8:30a.m. – noon
Press Availability: Wednesday, October 12, approximately 12:00 a.m. – 1:00
p.m. |
| Where: |
Carlyle Room, 5th floor
Holiday Inn Old Town,
480 King Street,
Alexandria, VA 22314
Tel: 1-703-549-6080
Fax: 1-703-684-6508
http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hisl/1/en/hd/axeot |
| Why: |
A wide variety of consumer products including cosmetics,
building and car materials, clothing, food packaging, some children’s toys,
and even some medical devices often contain chemicals referred to as phthalates.
Phthalates are added to plastics to increase their flexibility. DEHP (di
(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate), which is used to make some medical tubing and
other devices, has been shown in animal studies to be hazardous at high
levels of exposure. Vulnerable populations such as critically ill newborns
may be exposed to higher levels than the general population due to the
extensive medical procedures they undergo. Since the review of DEHP by
a CERHR expert panel in 2000, approximately 150 new papers relevant to
this evaluation have been published. Therefore there is a need to conduct
an updated evaluation of the potential toxicities of DEHP. The draft report
is available for review at http://cerhr.niehs.nih.gov/news/dehp/DEHP-Update-Report-08-08-05.pdf.  |
| Background: |
The Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction
(CERHR) was established by the NIEHS as part of the National Toxicology
Program in 1998. The CERHR convenes a scientific expert panel that meets
in a public forum to review, discuss, and evaluate the scientific literature
on a selected chemical. CERHR selects chemicals for evaluation based upon
several factors including production volume, extent of human exposure,
public concern, and the extent of published information on reproductive
or developmental toxicity. The NTP is an HHS program established in 1978
that is headquartered at the NIEHS, a part of the National Institutes of
Health. The NIEHS Director, Dr. David A. Schwartz, serves as the NTP Director. |
| Registration: |
No registration is required. Members of the press interested
in attending or conducting on-site or phone interviews with any of the
scientists, please contact Robin Mackar at (919) 541-0073 or by email at rmackar@niehs.nih.gov.
She will schedule interviews for the press availability period immediately
following the meeting. Details about the meeting, including panelists and
agenda, are posted on the NTP website http://cerhr.niehs.nih.gov/news/fedreg/index.html. |
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The National Institutes of Health (NIH) — The Nation's Medical Research Agency — includes
27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U. S. Department of Health and
Human Services. It is the primary Federal agency for conducting and supporting basic,
clinical, and translational medical research, and it investigates the causes, treatments,
and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its
programs, visit http://www.nih.gov.
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