To make PVC flexible for use in blood bags, tubings and gloves, a plasticiser needs to be added. Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a common plasticiser used in medical devices.

Greenpeace and Health Care Without Harm claim that DEHP is toxic and damages the patients who are being treated using PVC devices.

Point to the body to see the problems DEHP has caused in experiments on animals or click for a text only version

Lungs: structural damage to membranes.

Heart: decrease in blood pressure and rate.

Kidneys: reduction in efficiency of kidney function.

Liver: reduction in liver function and cancer

Ovaries: delayed ovulation and cysts.
Foetus: reduced birth weight and death of foetus.

Testes: damage to testes and reduced sperm production.

Experiments using DEHP have been done in rats, mice and monkeys. How could the effects in humans be assessed?