DINP (di-isononyl phthalate) is the primary phthalate used in children's toys. In September of this year, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) staff issued a report concluding that children who mouth toys containing DINP face "no demonstrated health risk" and recommended denial of a petition calling for a restriction on the use of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in toys. In reaching this conclusion, the CPSC conducted its own mouthing study, and concluded that oral exposure to DINP is "not likely to present a health hazard to children." These conclusions are consistent with CPSC's preliminary conclusions in 1998 and with those reached by a special panel convened in 2000 by CPSC to review the safety of DINP use in toys. Further confirming the safety of use of DINP in toys is the European Union assessment that DINP poses no risk to human health in toy applications.

Parents should be reassured by the recent conclusions about the use of phthalates in toys and not be misled by groups unwilling to acknowledge scientifically based conclusions that are contrary to their campaigns.

Since its inception 29 years ago, the Phthalate Esters Panel and its members have sponsored health and safety studies of phthalate esters, including activity related to children's health protection. The results of this research are shared with government agencies so that safety information can be made public and these materials can continue to be used in toys and the many other products that American families find so useful. A summary of key research findings about the use of DINP in toys may be viewed at http://www.phthalates.org. These recent evaluations reinforce Dr. C. Everett Koop's 1999 groundbreaking statement following an expert panel review of two phthalates: "Consumers can be confident that vinyl toys and medical devices are safe."