Traces of a dangerous plasticizer were detected in urine samples. (Bernd Thissen / dpa / Bernd Thissen)
As the magazine “Der Spiegel” reports, experts from the Federal Environment Agency have found the first clues. “Our first and preliminary suspicion falls on sunscreen,” said toxicologist Marike Kolossa Kolossa. At the same time, however, she warned against not using sunscreen because of the suspected case. It protects the skin. A waiver would be harmful. According to its own information, the Federal Environment Agency is also analyzing the high pollution levels together with EU authorities. Under certain circumstances, the substance could occur despite the ban in the EU, for example in imported products that contain the substance, it said. It may also be present in old products produced in the EU.
The Federal Environment Agency discovered evidence of a dangerous plasticizer in the urine of numerous people in Germany. The Federal Environment Agency is currently collecting data current data from the adult population in a Germany-wide study. Residues of the dangerous plasticizer have so far been discovered in 28 percent of the urine samples. According to Kolossa, the substance discovered is a breakdown product of the plasticizer di-n-hexyl phthalate (DnHexP). This substance is considered to be harmful to reproduction. It has therefore been strictly regulated and largely banned for years.
The origin of the plasticizer is still unknown
Last year, the substance in question was discovered for the first time in old urine samples from children. The State Office for Nature, Environment and Consumer Protection of North Rhine-Westphalia regularly examines children’s exposure to pollutants.
The plasticizer DnHexP has been on the list of substances of very high concern in the European Union since 2013. It is therefore no longer permitted in cosmetic products, food contact materials and toys. Despite these limitations Residues of the plasticizer were detected in 61 percent of the 250 urine samples examined from 2020/21. The substance was also found in retained samples from 2017/18, but in lower concentrations. According to the state office, the cause of this is completely unclear.