Amsterdam, November 3, 1999 - Greenpeace today applauded the International Society of Doctors for the Environment (ISDE) for calling for health care facilities and medical suppliers to develop PVC-free alternatives for medical devices.
"The additives are potential carcinogens and are known to be released during routine use," said Gaudenz Silberschmidt, MD and executive director of ISDE. "PVC gives rise to dioxins and furans during incineration, a common method of disposal of medical waste. Besides safe alternatives are already available for most products."
ISDE represents over 30,000 physicians in 38 countries. The ISDE resolution was approved at the organization's annual assembly in Buenos Aires on October 19.
