Researchers found lead and phthalates in new products made with recycled materials

An analysis of 151 polyvinyl chloride (PVC) flooring products on the market in Switzerland found that 16% of them contained measurable levels of chemicals that have been phased out (Environ. Sci. Technol. 2024, DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c04851) . Researchers were particularly alarmed to find products containing lead, a toxic metal that was previously added to PVC products to stabilize them, and the plasticizer bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). DEHP is an ortho-phthalate, a group of chemicals associated with a large number of health problems, including endometriosis, cancer, asthma, and type 2 diabetes. ....