Baby teethers

This short article tells us that the European Parliament has voted to tighten draft legislation on the use of all phthlalate plasticisers in PVC baby-teethers. Brief details of this decision are provided. 

Numerous nonplasticizer uses of DEHP have been reported however, it is not clear to what extent these uses are, or have ever been, important. Because of concerns regarding potential health effects from DEHP exposure, many toy manufacturers have discontinued use of DEHP in their products. The use of DEHP in domestically produced baby teethers and rattles has been discontinued, and DEHP is also no longer used as a plasticizer in plastic food wrap products. 

Historically, di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate has constituted approximately 50% of all the phthalate ester plasticizers used. However, in recent years, the use of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate has diminished because of health concerns. It is no longer used in plastic food packaging or baby teethers and rattles. Many toy manufacturers have discontinued its use in toys, and it is being replaced by linear phthalates and other plasticizers (12). 

Turnbull, D. and J.V. Rodricks (1989). A comprehensive risk assessment of DEHP as a component of baby pacifiers, teethers and toys, in The Risk Assessment of Environmental and Human Health Hazards A Textbook of Case Studies, D.J. Paustenbach (Ed), Wiley, New York, pp. 868-896. 

In Europe in the Middle Ages, red coral was given to babies to chew on, in order to fasten and strengthen dieir teeth. An added benefit was that coral was believed to ward off evil spirits. In powdered form it was fed to babies in milk to prevent fits. In the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries it was still being given to babies, as a traditional Christening present, for example as a necklace, or a teether attached to a rattle. 

Uses TPE alloy for clear overmolding applies, such as baby bottle nipples, pacifiers, teethers, and toys Features Heat resist. 

Based on concerns derived from this study, we analysed various objects made of plastic and found nonylphenols in various items. Even in ultra-pure water, we detected nonylphenols when we stored it in a polyethylene tank. A more serious concern, however, was the exposure of humans, and especially babies, to endocrine-disrupting nonylphenols derived from plastics. When I read the findings of Drs Soto and Sonnenschein, my twin nephew and niece were seven months old and had just started to use plastic teethers. I found... 

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