PVC: The Poison Plastic

PVC (polyvinyl Chloride) plastic, commonly referred to as vinyl. Is one of the most hazardous consumer products ever created. PVC is dangerous to human health and the Enviroment throughout its entire life cycle, at the factory, in our homes, and in the trash. Our bodies are contaminated with poisonous chemicals released during the PVC lifecycle, such as mercury, dioxins, and phthalates, which may pose irreversible life-long health threats. When produced or burned, PVC plastic releases dioxins, a group of the most potent synthetic chemicals ever tested, which can cause cancer and harm the immune and reproductive systems. PVC is useless without the addition of a plethora of toxic additives, which can make the PVC product itself harmful to consumers. These chemicles can evaporate or leach out of PVC, posing risks to children and consumers. New Car Smell? New shower curtain smell? That's the smell of poisonous chemicals off-gassing from the PVC. One of the most common toxic additives is DEHP, a phthalate that is a suspected carcinogen and reproductive toxicant readily found in numerous PVC products. Children can be exposed to phthalates by chewing on vinyl toys containing dangerous phthalates, the European Parlaiment voted July, 2005 to permanently ban the use of certain toxic phthalates in toys. One EPA study found that vinyl shower curtains can cause elevated levels of dangerous air toxins, which can persist for more than a month. PVC plants are disproportionately located in low-income communities and communities of color, making the production of PVC a major enviromental justice concern. Communities surrounding vinyl chloride facilities suffer from groundwater and air pollution. In 1999, the federal government measured dioxins in blood samples taken from 28 residents who lived near PVC facilities in Louisiana. The testing revealed the average resident has three times more dioxin in his/her blood than the average U.S. citizen. PVC cannot be effectively recycled due to the many different toxic additives used to soften or stabilize PVC, which can contaminate the recycling batch. Most consumers do not know that a 3 in the recycle symbol indicates that the plastic is made of PVC, and therefore recycle those products, inadvertently rendering thousands of potentially recycled containers useless. In fact, just one PVC bottle can contaminate a recycling load of 1000,00 PET bottles. The Center for Health, Enviromental and Justice BE SAFE network has launched a PVC campaign to encourage major Companies to phase out their use of PVC and to support policies that phase out PVC.