HHS Information Quality Web Site
Response to RFC
July 15, 2013
Mark T. Daniels
Chairman, Progressive Bag Alliance
1667 K St., NW #1000
Washington, DC 20006
Dear Mr. Daniels,
Thank you for your letter and Information Quality Control Request for Correction/Complaint. We appreciate the American Progressive Bag Alliance's (APBA) interest in the Phthalates Chemical Factsheet published by the National Biomonitoring Program, Division of Laboratory Sciences of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
In your request, you noted that the Phthalates Chemical Factsheet on the CDC website states that phthalates are used to make products such as plastic bags. Your letter indicated concern that this statement could give the public the impression that phthalates are used to make common plastic retail bags and that exposure to plastic retail bags may adversely affect a person s health. Your letter said that plastic retail bags do not contain phthalates because they are made from polyethylene (PE), rather than polyvinyl chloride (PVC). You requested that the CDC delete the reference to plastic bags as a source of phthalate exposure or revise the factsheet to explain that retail plastic bags are made from PE and do not contain phthalates.
CDC reviewed your request and agrees that revision of the Phthalates Chemical Factsheet is warranted to clarify the types of plastic products that contain phthalates. CDC has modified the language to address the concern you have raised. The Phthalates Chemical Factsheet has been revised to state: "Phthalates are used widely in polyvinyl chloride plastics, which are used to make products such as plastic packaging film and sheets, garden hoses, inflatable toys, blood storage containers, medical tubing, and some children's toys." CDC has posted an updated document on the CDC website.
If you wish to appeal this response to your request for correction, you may submit a written appeal (Request for Reconsideration) or an electronic request for reconsideration within 30 days of receipt of our response. The appeal must state the reasons that the agency response is insufficient or inadequate. You must attach a copy of your original request and the agency's response to it. Please clearly mark the appeal with the words "Information Quality Appeal" and send the appeal as follows:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Management Analysis and Services Office
1600 Clifton Road, N.E., Mailstop F-07
Atlanta, Georgia 30333
Fax: (770) 488-4995
Sincerely,
/s/
James L. Pirkle, MD, PhD
Director, Division of Laboratory Sciences
National Center for Environmental Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention