Wall Street Journal - To the Editor

This article provides a misleading impression about PVC - a common component of such items as shower curtains, upholstery, packaging, and flooring, as well as medical devices (blood bags and tubing) - that needs clarification. The “hazardous additive” at issue is DEHP, a phthalate derivative used to soften vinyl. In 2001 the FDA conducted a thorough safety assessment of DEHP released from PVC-containing medical devices.

According to this report no evidence exists for adverse effects of DEHP in humans. Furthermore, the FDA concluded that there is little or no risk to patients exposed to DEHP released from PVC during routine fluid or drug infusions. Since the FDA approved PVC for medical use, it is highly unlikely that common PVC-containing items in hospitals endanger patients.

Furthermore, the efforts to replace vinyl with PVC free carpeting in hospitals may be unwise. The acquisition of infections in hospitals is a current major problem. It has been reported that while porous fabric upholstery provides a nurturing environment for infectious organisms, vinyl is more easily decontaminated and has been suggested as the preferable fabric for hospital furniture. The same might apply to vinyl flooring versus carpeting.
 
Raphael J. Witorsch
Professor Virginia Commonwealth University
School of Medicine