By Bob Katzen

The Senate approved, on a voice vote without a roll call, and sent to the House a bill that would ban the use of DEHP, a toxic chemical which is commonly added to plastic intravenous bags and tubing and linked to breast, liver, lung and testicular cancer. Many IV bags currently contain DEHP, which is added to improve the plastic’s flexibility but can pose serious health dangers to patients.

“When a patient is in a hospital bed receiving IV therapy, the last thing they should have to worry about is whether the equipment itself is making them sicker,” said Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem), the sponsor of the measure. “DEHP is a known carcinogen. Safer alternatives already exist and are being used by major health systems right here in Massachusetts. This bill simply says we are going to catch up with the science. Patients deserve nothing less.”