[Endangering of health by ingestion of soft-polyvinylchloride (author's transl)]

Four trials to evaluate the pathogenicity of Soft-Polyvinylchloride were conductet by feeding pigs soft plastic objects. The plastic objects contained ca. 60-75% softening agents. Only in one trial did the plastic object remain in the pigs stomach. The object remained in the stomach 102 days and caused lesions of the mucous membranes. In the stomach the soft plastic became very hard and the projections of the object became pointed, resembling needles. The amount of softening agent in the object had been reduced from 69,8% to 42%. The danger, especially to children, after eatingf such plastics, either consciously or involontary, is therefore demonstrated. Aspects of state food laws concerning this problem are also discussed in the article.