What: An independent panel of 11 scientists convened by the Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction (CERHR), of the NIEHS and National Toxicology Program, will review recent scientific data and reach conclusions regarding whether or not exposure to DEHP (di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate) is a hazard to human development or reproduction. The 2.5 day meeting is open to members of the public and the media. A press availability period will immediately follow the meeting at approximately noon on October 12th.

When: Monday, October 10, 2005, 8:30 a.m. 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday, October 11, 8:30 a.m. 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 12, 8:30a.m. noon
Press Availability: Wednesday, October 12, approximately 12-1p.m.

Where: Carlyle Room, 5th floor
Holiday Inn Old Town,
480 King Street,
Alexandria, VA 22314
Tel: 1-703-549-6080
Fax: 1-703-684-6508
http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hisl/1/en/hd/axeot

Why: A wide variety of consumer products including cosmetics, building and car materials, clothing, food packaging, some children's toys, and even some medical devices often contain chemicals referred to as phthalates. Phthalates are added to plastics to increase their flexibility. DEHP (di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate), which is used to make some medical tubing and other devices, has been shown in animal studies to be hazardous at high levels of exposure. Vulnerable populations such as critically ill newborns may be exposed to higher levels than the general population due to the extensive medical procedures they undergo. Since the review of DEHP by a CERHR expert panel in 2000, approximately 150 new papers relevant to this evaluation have been published. Therefore there is a need to conduct an updated evaluation of the potential toxicities of DEHP. The draft report is available for review at

Contact: Robin Mackar
rmackar@niehs.nih.gov
919-541-0073
Duke University Medical Center
4-Oct-2005

Page: 1 2
Related medicine news :

1. Independent evaluation finds GAVI funding to poor countries can boost childhood vaccine coverage
2. Independent experts needed to save UKs NHS from failure and privatization
3. Independent voice rises to help consumers navigate health care
4. New Orleans levee report finished by panel including University of Texas at Austin engineer
5. IOF and EU panel prepare osteoporosis audit
6. RAND panel identifies key components of public health emergency preparedness
7. Medical, IT, engineering experts form advisory panel for electronic health record safety
8. SCAI expert panel sets high standards for PCI without on-site cardiac surgical backup
9. Conference on health communication call for papers and panel proposals
10. Consensus panel calls for expanded role of needle biopsies, MRI and less invasive procedures
11. Children need 60 minutes of daily physical activity, expert panel says