Presence of carcinogenic substances in plastic medical devices. Premature babies are the most at risk. We are talking about Dehp, a potentially harmful and carcinogenic chemical substance that is part of phthalates. This substance would be contained in high quantities in plastic medical devices.
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Presence of potentially carcinogenic substances in plastic medical devices. THE premature babies they are the most at risk. Let's talk about the Dehp, a potentially harmful and carcinogenic chemical that is part of phthalates. This substance would be contained in high quantities in plastic medical devices.
The risk for premature babies relates to the dependence of the plastic tools to which they are attached in the units of intensive therapy. It would therefore be advisable to carry out more accurate checks on the materials used for the production of medical devices.
To highlight the problem is a study published in the scientific journal Journal of Perinatlogy, led by Eric Mallow, expert in the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The study in questione porta il titolo di “Phthalates and critically ill neonates: device-related exposures and non-endocrine toxic risks”.
In Europe Dehp has been classified as a potentially carcinogenic substance, while in the United States some companies have banned it. However, this substance can be present in many products, as the position on phthalates is not definitive. There Francia from next year it will be the first European country to place the use of Dehp is banned in the production of tubes and cannulas used in pediatric, neonatal and maternity units.
At the moment, laboratory tests have found that this substance could be related to reproductive and fertility defects, negative effects that are usually associated with the category of phthalates. The new study shows that body-contact cannulas and breathing tubes can expose premature babies in particular to quantities of Dehp higher than the levels considered safe.
It is feared that phthalates may cause problems with the development of the lungs, eyes and brain, as emerged from studies conducted in the laboratory that will have to receive further confirmation as regards the human organism. Phthalates have come under fire for several years.
The most recent studies have correlated them with the risk of asthma for children, if pregnant women are in contact with these substances,increased chance of developing type 2 diabetes and with a can acceleration of menopause.
It is time for medical safety authorities and companies to thoroughly assess the risks associated with these types of substances in order not to endanger the health of premature babies, pregnant women and more.
Marta Albè
Photo source: telchiha.com
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