IV bag magnifying the word DEHP with the headline, Are you infusing your patients with toxic DEHP?

If your IV bag contains toxic DEHP, you could be infusing your patients with it. 
Learn more about the risks below or take action now by signing the petition to the FDA.


Sign The Petition

IT'S TIME TO BAN DEHP IN IV BAGS

Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) has been a growing concern for over 25 years

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  1. FEB. 1999

    Health Care Without Harm launches campaign to remove DEHP from medical devices1

  2. 2002

    FDA issues public health notification about DEHP and PVC2

  3. 2003

    California OEHHA lists DEHP as Reproductive Toxicant3

  4. 2006

    American Medical Association encourages hospitals to use alternatives to DEHP and PVC4

  5. 2007

    California bans DEHP in children’s toys5

  6. 2008

    Federal Ban of DEHP in children's toys6

  7. 2012

    Kaiser Permanente moves to to IV bags and tubing not made with DEHP7

  8. 2020

    California enacts Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act8

  9. 2021

    Congresswomen urge the FDA to update guidelines on DEHP in medical devices9

  10. SEPT. 2024

    Toxic-Free Medical Devices Act signed into California law by Gov. Newsom10

A patient lies in a hospital bed receiving treatment though an IV line.

REDUCING PATIENT EXPOSURE TO DEHP IN CLINICAL SETTINGS

Three healthcare professionals in a hospital facility have a focused conversation.

TOP FOUR PRACTICES FOR REDUCING DEHP IN HEALTHCARE FACILITIES

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How often do you encounter patients with concerns about toxic chemical exposure?

Two nondescript 100 mL IV bags.

UNDERSTANDING THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF DEHP

A healthcare professional wearing PPE prepares an IV bag for a patient.

UNDERSTANDING DEHP: WHAT IT IS AND WHY IT MATTERS

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THE TIME TO ACT IS NOW: REDUCE DEHP AND PHTHALATE EXPOSURE

LEARN MORE, GET INVOLVED

Learn more facts about DEHP and how you can get involved to make a difference.

Icon representing Spotlight on America

See how a Pennsylvania state lawmaker is on a quest to ban hospital IV bags and tubes made with toxins in this Spotlight on America news report. Watch

Icon representing Toxic-Free Future

Breast Cancer Prevention Partners provides data and resources on the dangers of DEHP in medical products. Link

Icon representing NIEHS

Encourage your hospital to sign the Breast Cancer Prevention Partners Pledge to replace toxic IV bags and tubing with safer alternatives. Link

Now is the time to act

Sign the petition calling on the FDA to update its guidelines on the use of DEHP in IV bags and other medical devices to reflect the latest science.

References: 1. Brown D. Campaign seeks to eliminate plastic IV bags, but risk is disputed. The Washington Post. July 21, 1999. Accessed March 24, 2025. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1999/02/22/campaign-seeks-to-eliminate-plastic-iv-bags-but-risk-is-disputed-/4b366a86-5b5f4cc7-b4ab-b0394c4d3e63/ 2. Schettler T. Polyvinyl chloride in health care: a rationale for choosing alternatives. Health Care Without Harm. Published January 2020. Accessed April 1, 2025. https://us.noharm.org/media/4423/download?inline=1 3. California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. Accessed March 24, 2025. https://oehha.ca.gov/proposition-65/chemicals/di2-ethylhexylphthalate-dehp 4. American Medical Association. Encouraging alternatives to PVC/phthalate products in health. H-135.945. AMA Policy Finder. Accessed April 1, 2025. https://policysearch.ama-assn.org/policyfinder/detail/pvc?uri=%2FAMADoc%2FHOD.xml-0-316.xml 5. Proposition 65 Warnings. Di(2-Ethylhexyl)Phthalate (DEHP). Official website of the State of California. Published 2021. Accessed April 1, 2025. https://www.p65warnings.ca.gov/fact-sheets/phthalates 6. CPSC prohibits certain phthalates in children's toys and child care products. United States Consumer Product Safety Commission. October 20, 2017. Accessed March 24, 2025. https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/cpsia.pdf 7. Guevarra L. Kaiser gets green infusion with safer IV equipment. Trellis. Accessed May 6, 2025. https://trellis.net/article/kaiser-gets-green-infusion-safer-iv-equipment/ 8. California first state to ban 24 toxic chemicals in personal care products and cosmetics. Breast Cancer Prevention Partners press release. September 30, 2020. Accessed March 24, 2025. https://www.bcpp.org/california-first-state-to-ban-24-toxic-chemicals-in-personal-care-products-and-cosmetics/ 9. Porter K, et al. Letter to the FDA. February 18, 2021. Accessed March 24, 2025. https://roar-assets-auto.rbl.ms/documents/8190/Letter%20to%20FDA%20about%20DEHP%20IV%20Bags.pdf 10. California Legislative Information. State Committee on Health. AB-2300 Medical devices: di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). September 26, 2024. Accessed March 24, 2025. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240AB2300