Nasal Cannula, Sof-Touch

PVC makes modern medical application techniques possible and financially feasible. However, the use of PVC products can at times be associated with certain risks.

Long-term exposure to di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), the plasticizer in PVC, is suspected of having a toxic effect on the reproductive and hepatic systems, among others.

Depending on the environment and the contact time, DEHP can diffuse in large doses from PVC. Solutions containing fats, such as nutritional solutions, even boost this process. For that reason, nasal gastroenteric PVC tubes are high-risk products. Once the DEHP has leached out, they soon become hard and thus need to be changed. This causes additional stress to the patient and additional costs to the user.

Polyadipates are a risk-free alternative to DEHP. In contrast with the latter, this group of PVC plasticizers has a low propensity for diffusion and is not suspected of contributing to the development toxic effects. Even when in contact with fat-containing solutions, products containing polyadipate as a plasticizer remain soft and flexible over a period of up to four weeks.

For more information, please visit www.dehp-facts.com.