Table 1.

Migration potential and health effects of DEHP-free plasticizers and alternative polymers

Category	Compounds	Migration potentiala (molecular weight)	NOAEL	Critical Effect
DEHP-free plasticizers	DINCH	Low (424.6) see ref. 48	Reproductive and developmental toxicity: 1000 mg kg−1 per day Thyroid hyperplasia: 100 mg kg−1 per day; see ref. 46	Nephrotoxicity/increased thyroid, kidney and liver weights.46
	DEHA	Highest (370.6) see ref. 14, 46	Reproductive toxicity: 170 mg kg−1 per day; Developmental: 28 mg kg−1 bw per day (200 mg kg−1 per day by EU)14,50–52	Developmental toxicity resulting in skeletal variations, kinked or dilated ureters.14,50–52
	ATBC	High (402.5) see ref. 14	Reproductive and repeated dose toxicity: 100 mg kg−1 bw per day; see ref. 53	1) Reproductive toxicity resulting in decreased body weights.46,53 2) Repeated dose toxicology: hemotological changes, biochemical changes and increased liver weights.14,53,54
	TETM	Lowest (but may contain DEHP) (546.8) see ref. 14, 46	Reproductive and developmental toxicity: 100 mg kg−1 per day for males, 1000 mg kg−1 per day for females and offspring46,55	Lung changes observed in rats from inhalation.14
	Polyadipate	Low14	No data	No data
PVC-free polymers	PE	No data	No data	No data
	PP	No data	No data	No data
	PUR	No data	No data	No data
	EVA	No data	No data	No data
	Silicone	No data	No data	No data

Abbreviations: ATBC, O-acetyl tributyl citrate; DEHA, di(ethylhexyl) adipate; DEHP, di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate; DINCH, di(isononyl)cyclohexane-12-dicarboxylate; EVA, ethylene vinyl acetate; NOAEL, no adverse effect level; PE, polyethylene; PP, Polypropylene; PUR, polyurethane; PVC, polyvinyl chloride; TETM, tri-2-ethylhexyl trimellitate

^aA key parameter in comparing plasticizers is potential for migrating out of the PVC polymer, however, only few data have been identified on migration potential for substitutes and testing was not standardized, therefore, we report only comparison levels, not values.