PVC and phthalates in medical devices: a never ending story.

Phthalate-plasticised poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC) medical devices have been subject to critical attention for 15 years. This article reviews latest developments. It addresses whether hospitals have achieved their goal of phasing out PVC and phthalates and if it is a certainty that a medical device is better with regard to health and the environment just because it does not contain PVC and phthalates. European risk assessments are also reported.