“Loom Band” and its Effect on Health
The Ministry of Health will like to address the issue of phthalates, a carcinogenic chemical detected in the Loom Band and its subsequent withdrawal by one of the toy retailers in Britain. It is known that phthalates are substances added to plastic to increase its flexibility, transparency, durability, and longevity. They contribute to between 10% – 60% of the plastic by weight in the product. It is classified as a Class 3 carcinogen i.e. having proven carcinogenic effects in animal models but not in humans. Phthalate/DEHP is not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans (Group 3) by the International Agency of Research on Cancer (IARC). According to IARC, there is inadequate evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of phthalate except in experimental animals. Phthalate exposure may be through direct use or by indirect means through leaching and general environmental contamination. Oral is believed to be the main source of di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and other phthalates in the general population.
The use of some phthalates has been restricted for use in children’s toys in the European Union since 1999. Likewise, other developed countries such as the United States of America and Canada have restricted DEHP, BBP, and DBP for all toys. In the case of DINP, DIDP and DNOP, these are restricted only for toys which could be possibly taken into the mouth by children. The restriction states that the amount of phthalates may not be greater than 0.1% mass percent of the plasticized part of the toy. These phthalates are allowed at any concentration in other products and other phthalates are not restricted.
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