Hospital patients 'at risk from cancer chemical'

HOSPITALS are exposing patients, including babies and young children, to high levels of a potentially dangerous chemical linked to cancer and infertility, new research has found.

A study by researchers in Britain and the US has found that medical equipment, including tubes and blood bags, may contain high levels of phthalates a chemical scientists believe is linked to the development of cancer and infertility.

Concern over the effect of phthalates on babies and young children led the Government to ban chewable plastic baby toys, such as teething rings, because they contained the substance.