SATRA highlights DMF confusion
15/05/2009
Testing and technology centre SATRA has complained that the recent directive issued by the European Union restricting the import of products that contain dimethylfumarate is causing confusion among retailers and importers of footwear.
Dimethylfumarate is a biocide used to prevent mould growth on products during transit or storage and is most frequently supplied in the form of a permeable paper sachet through which the chemical will be released. Dimethylfumarate is recognized as a potential skin irritant and has been implicated in cases of contact dermatitis from footwear and furniture in several EU countries.
SATRA says it is finding that problems are arising because dimethylfumarate is often abbreviated to DMF, which is also used as an abbreviation for dimethylformamide, a solvent associated with the manufacture of polyurethanes which is harmful by inhalation. Dimethylformamide is not banned, but restrictions do exist through the system of workplace exposure limits (WELs) on exposure of workers who may have to deal with it during manufacture.
Also, because dimethylfumarate is supplied in paper sachets, some of SATRA’s customers are asking whether this affects the silica gel that is often found in footwear packaging. Silica gel is a desiccant designed to reduce the moisture in the atmosphere around packaged goods to limit the potential for mould growth. The organisation says that, from its experience, no cases have come to light of sachets of silica gel that have been contaminated by dimethylfumarate, nor have has it seen any sachets incorrectly labelled one for the other.
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