title: New developments in PVC.
abstract: Some hospitals in Europe still recommend medical devices that are not made from poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) mainly because of environmental concerns. Yet, a brand new life cycle analysis that compares a medical device made from PVC with two devices made from alternative plastic materials shows that deselection of PVC is not advisable. This article reports on the latest scientific opinion on the possible risks related to the use of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate in medical devices and addresses some of the conclusions of the life cycle analysis.
authors.affiliation: PVC Information Council Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark. pgh@pvc.dk
authors.forename: O Grøndahl
authors.initials: OG
authors.lastname: Hansen
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000639:trends*; D004864:Equipment and Supplies; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride