Working together to increase and show the demand for a PVC-free blood bag is crucial to make a difference. If you share the projects objectives. Sign the petition below.
We, as health care organisations and purchasers of medical devices, support the initiative to develop and diffuse PVC-free blood bags for red blood cells.
Blood bags made of DEHP-plasticised PVC are of special concern because the DEHP exposure to some patients is very high. Furthermore, there are adverse environmental impacts related to the manufacture and disposal of PVC products, including serious risks to human health.
At present there is no PVC-free alternative for red blood cells on the market. Specifically, we support the development of a blood bag that will:
- not expose patients to the risks identified in relation to high dehp exposure
- not be harmful to the environment at any stage in the products lifecycle
- fulfil existing performance and safety requirements.
Delivering an alternative that fulfils these requirements would mean less patient exposure to potentially toxic substances, avoiding production of 2000 tonnes of DEHP per year globally, less environmental damage from toxic chemicals and a better working environment for both manufacturers and hospital employees.
The petition is authored by Jegrelius Institute for Applied Green Chemistry and target people within healthcare organizations.
