Satra, the research and technology center for product safety, has...

Satra, the research and technology center for product safety, has complained about the confusion arising from a new EU restriction on the import of products that contain dimethylfumarate, or DMF. DMF is packaged with products during transit and storage to prevent mold growth, and comes in small paper sachets much like those used for silica gel for the same purpose. DMF is a potential skin irritant. The problem comes from dimethylformamide, also abbreviated as DMF. This is a solvent that is harmful if inhaled and restrictions exist on workplace exposure levels. Besides the confusion over the names, some of Satra’s customers worry that the paper sachets of DMF will contaminate or otherwise affect sachets of silica gel. Satra says it knows of no occasion where this has happened, or where the sachets were mislabeled.