Important Notice about DMF

Hello everyone,

I just recived this notice and thought that I would post it in full for the benefit of all. Mom's Be aware that this chemical may be found in shoes and soft toys.

June 2009, Bulletin AGY/DMF/01

Dear Julie,

In January 2009 Member States of the EU voted to ban dimethyl fumurate
(DMF) from consumer products^1. DMF is an anti-fungal/biocidal agent and is
known to cause physical reactions like dermatitis or allergies. It has been
banned from the European market in consumer products as of 1 May 2009.
Member states of the EU have the responsibility to ensure that products
containing DMF are prohibited from being placed or made available on the
market; products already on the market containing more than 0.1 mg/kg will
also have to be removed from shelves and may not be sold as of 1 May 2009.

DMF is a fine white crystalline powder, which is used in consumer products
to prevent the growth of fungi and mold species. DMF is most often used in
sachets or pouches fixed inside furniture or added to footwear boxes. The
substance evaporates and impregnates the product, protecting it from
moulds. Due to this mode of action, consumers are also affected though the
evaporation of DMF through the clothes and onto the skin where it can cause
painful contact dermatitis. The symptoms of contact dermatitis include
itching, irritation, redness, and burns. Inhalation irritancy has also been
reported as has eye irritation where contact is made with the eye.A significant impact of this ban is that there is an obligation to remove
products from the market where it is known that the product, or even parts
of the product, contain more than 0.1 mg/kg DMF. High risk products are
leather shoes and furniture and those products bearing an ‘antimould’
statement. Soft toys containing DMF have also featured on the EU’s rapid
alert system for dangerous consumer products^2 (RAPEX). It is important to
note that the new legislation covers all types of products and is not
simply restricted to footwear, furniture and toys.

Allergy Standards Limited is a physician-led global certification body.
Our certification incorporates, among other aspects, limits for the
presence of certain allergenic or irritant chemicals. Together with our
sister company, Allergy Standards Consulting, we are available to assist
you with any inquiries that you may have regarding this, or any other
consumer protection issue.

Yours sincerely

Dr Tim Yeomans
Senior Scientific Researcher

[http://www.allergystandards.com/timyeomans]
www.allergystandards.com/timyeomans
[mailto:timyeomans@allergystandards.com] timyeomans@allergystandards.com