Think about the sentence, “Alternative products are available to substitute for DEHP.” If you were responsible for examining alternatives for this phthalate, what would you want to know? As you think...

Think about the sentence, “Alternative products are available to substitute for DEHP.” If you were responsible for examining alternatives for this phthalate, what would you want to know? As you think about this, consider problems that can arise with alternatives as seem in the following two cases. (a) The metal, lead, used for many years as an antiknock agent in gasoline, is particularly dangerous to the fetus and small child. Lead in gasoline was finally replaced by the chemical, benzene. However, benzene is a known human carcinogen. (b) An oxygen-containing chemical is added to gasoline to promote its cleaner burning. In the United States, methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) was widely used for this purpose. However, MTBE proved more water soluble than expected, and became a widespread water contaminant. Now, it is being replaced, often with ethanol. So, should such cases dissuade you from looking for alternatives? Explain.