A buildup of VOCs in the household (sometimes called sick building syndrome) can result in … Many vinyl facilities are located in poor communities with little political clout. There is compelling evidence that it is now possible -- and crucial -- to implement a rapid transition to safer materials. Demand PVC-free alternatives. This causes some concerns not only for the usefulness of the pipe but also because the pipe's materials might leech into tanks or water lines when the PVC pipe is exposed to temperatures near its melting point. When reaching these locations the PVC is usually either just burned or put in landfills. PVC plastic is the only plastic made with chlorine. Polyethylene terephthalate, also known as PETE or PET. Though it is an affordable choice for home interior decorations. Over the past few decades, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) plastic, commonly known as "vinyl," has become one of the most widely-used types of plastics. These plants release huge amounts of toxic chemicals into the environment around them. Evidence suggests that, throughout its entire lifecycle, PVC is responsible for a greater share of the nation's annual dioxin burden than any other industrial product. And yet, PVC is found in almost so many of the things we use every day, including pipes, window frames, toys, bottles, blister packs, shoes, credit cards, drawer slides, and more. In 1987, the town of Reveilletown, Louisiana became so contaminated that all 106 residents were relocated and every structure torn down, even the church. First the primer is applied and then the cement to join the pipes. Recycling of PVC plastic is not a solution to the environmental problems created during its production and use. (Please Comment!). And some organochlorines can impact on human life before birth, during the most delicate stages of development -- a disastrous toxic legacy for future generations. In addition to that, most stores package foods in plastic bags. Read my full disclosure policy, Household Cleaners and Personal Products I Use, the most toxic plastic for children’s health and the environment, PVC, Bad News Come in Threes, the Poison Plastic, Health Hazards & the Looming Waste Crisis, Smart Plastics Guide: Healthier Food Uses of Plastics for Parents and Children, Choosing Arts & Crafts Materials that Are Safe for Kids. These toxins are building up in the water, air and food chain. For instance, one study of PVC shower curtains found that they released phthalates capable of causing nausea and damage to the liver and reproductive system. 1. The possible toxicological responses caused by plastic can thus be a combination of all of these chemicals. No one can escape contamination; every one of us has measurable amounts of chlorinated toxins in our bodies. Vinyl (#3 recycling code) is commonly used as a nickname for polyvinyl chloride (PVC). PVC is probably the worst outgassing offender and is prevalent throughout the household. The burning of PVC is responsible for 80 % of dioxin air pollution. In fact, Healthy Child Healthy World claims that PVC is one of the most toxic plastics out there. So, the toxic chemicals that leach out of plastics can accumulate on other plastics. Dioxins are a group of toxic chemicals that share a similar chemical structure and induce harm through a similar mechanism. The choice of additives used for the PVC finished product is con… This is because PVC items contain so many additives that recycling would be impractical and expensive. Is there such a thing as phthalate-free PVC? Before PVC can be made into finished products, it always requires conversion into a compound by the incorporation of additives (but not necessarily all of the following) such as heat stabilizers, UV stabilizers, plasticizers, processing aids, impact modifiers, thermal modifiers, fillers, flame retardants, biocides, blowing agents and smoke suppressors, and, optionally, pigments. PVC is restricted from some city high-rises and military and aerospace projects. HealthyStuff.org tested 21 different garden hoses and found phthalates (endocrine-disruptors), antimony and bromine (markers of flame retardants used in plastics) and lead. In those cases where traditional materials cannot be used as a replacement, even chlorine-free plastics are preferable to PVC. The EPA has also concluded that the levels of dioxin currently found in most adults and children are already high enough to present significant health threats to the American public. The result: severe health problems, including cancer, … Because these additives are not chemically bound to the PVC, the PVC product itself can be immediately dangerous to the consumer. PVC. Because PVC on its own is almost useless, it must be combined with a number of additives in order to give it the properties desired in the final product. Most common plastics pose serious threats to human health and the environment. Because dioxin and other chlorinated chemicals can migrate around the world, the harmful effects of PVC production are felt everywhere. Pure PVC plastic is 57% chlorine, a toxic substance whose production generates substantial pollution (see below). The harmful chemicals associated with plastics can be divided into three categories: ingredients of the plastic material, byproducts of manufacturing and chemicals adsorbed from the environment. Some communities, however, are hit far harder than others. In fact, this commonplace plastic is one of the biggest contributors to the flood of toxic substances saturating our planet and its inhabitants. This is because melted PVC can give off a corrosive toxic gas. Nearby communities, farms, and fishing areas suffer the consequences. Thousands of accidental fires in buildings containing PVC result in releases of dioxin in ash and soot, contaminating both the environment and the affected building. When Is “Vinyl” Not PVC? Large companies such as Proctor and Gamble, Mattel, and the Body Shop have phased out PVC packaging. PBTs are toxic to humans and marine organisms and have been shown to accumulate at various trophic levels through the food chain. In the U.S., poor African-American communities are disproportionally impacted. The result: severe health problems, including cancer, immune system damage, and hormone disruption. Government policies sanction and encourage this practice. Also, dioxins are byproducts of PVC yoga mats’ manufacturing and disposal. Eco-novice | Powered by Blogger, Design by Anders Noren | Blogger Theme by NewBloggerThemes.com, Would you like more ideas and tips about Going Green Gradually? Some of these chemicals are defined as priority pollutants, which are regulated by governmental agencies because of their toxicity or persistence in organisms and food webs. PVC cement (glue) and primer is used to soften pipes and weld pieces of plumbing together. Whatever the advantages of PVC may have been, today, it is indisputable that PVC is a known toxin to both humans and animals alike. The PVC lifecycle -- its production, use, and disposal -- results in the release of toxic, chlorine-based chemicals. I personally would probably get rid of them, but it depends on how easily you can replace them. Polyvinyl Chloride Economical, versatile polyvinyl chloride (PVC, or vinyl) is used in a variety of applications in the building and construction, health care, electronics, automobile and other sectors, in products ranging from piping and siding, blood bags and tubing, to wire and cable insulation, windshield system components and more. Polyvinyl chloride, also known as PVC or vinyl, is arguably one of the most toxic types of plastic in our lives. In order to successfully stay away from such a pervasive plastic, you need to know when “vinyl” is not PVC. 2. Article continues below advertisement Why is PVC harmful? It, too, can impart a plastic taste to water that goes away with time, but since it isn’t glued together, there are fewer toxic solvents used in installing it. According to a 2004 CHEJ report, "Non-durable (short-lived) products account for more than 70% of PVC disposed in municipal solid waste in the U.S.". These additives include toxic plasticizers (such as phthalates), stabilizers containing dangerous heavy metals (such as lead), fungicides, and other toxic substances. PVC has also been blamed for emitting chemical softeners called phthalates (in vinyl flooring), lead additives (in blinds), and toxic glues. While all plastics pose serious threats to human health and the environment, few consumers realize that PVC is the single most environmentally damaging of all plastics. Of the 14 U.S. plants that make VCM (vinyl chloride monomer, the building block used to make PVC) all but one are located in Louisiana and Texas. Dioxins are persistent and bioaccumulative. Large amounts of dioxin are produced during the various stages of PVC production, and the abundance of PVC items in medical waste and garbage is one reason incinerators are considered the largest sources of dioxins. They are found in vinyl flooring and harder PVC toys. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a warning in 1996 when it discovered that PVC miniblinds were giving off lead dust, which can have brain-damaging effects on children. Ask them to support a PVC phase-out. As consumers increasingly demand PVC-free products, and as the environmental and health costs of PVC are recognized, practical alternatives will become more economically viable. Numerous companies and governments have enacted PVC restrictions and material substitution policies. Proposals for transition planning have already been developed by labor and environmental organizations. These include dioxins, phthalates, vinyl chloride, ethylene dichloride, lead, cadmium, and organotins. Spread the message. For a list of USA-based suppliers, manufacturers, and importers of alternatives and PVC-free building materials, please see our online resource guide to PVC alternatives. The burning of PVC produces dioxin, which is one of the most toxic substances known. But the price we pay for a low-cost and seemingly harmless piece of PVC pipe or soft vinyl toy is far steeper than it may at first appear. Additives can wash out, pass into other materials or be lost to air. Since the 1990s, PVC-waste is increasingly being shipped to China, India, or Africa for “reprocessing”. I'm sure there is. See the safer options we’ve found here. These corrosive gases can spread faster than flames, trapping building occupants before they have a chance to escape. While most plastics do not get recycled, PVC is the worst offender -- it's the least recyclable of all plastics. Due to the chemical structure of organochlorines, humans and animals are unable to efficiently expel them from their bodies. PVC is a known carcinogen and should generally be avoided where possible. I still just steer clear of PVC all together b/c there are still the issues with manufacturing and disposal, but phthalate-free PVC is definitely better than PVC with phthalates (this comes up a bit in the yoga mat post, where I discuss so-called "clean PVC"). Because so much PVC is used in construction and household items, accidental building fires have become increasingly more dangerous for firefighters and building occupants. Substitutes for PVC include traditional materials such as clay, glass, ceramics and linoleum. In its production, it releases dioxins, phthalates, vinyl chloride, ethylene dichloride, lead, cadmium and other toxic chemicals. PVC—polyvinyl chloride, or vinyl—is found in a range of products, from children's toys to building materials to food packaging. The lead in the PVC migrates to the surface where it is readily picked up by your hand and then transferred to the mouth. Discharged pollutants impact nearby drinking water supplies and on-site incinerators spread dioxin and other hazardous compounds into the air. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Polyvinyl chloride is a hard plastic that is known for its long-term stability, … BMW, Herliltz, IKEA, Opel, Sony-Europe and Volkswagen have all announced policies to eliminate PVC uses. Use Eco-friendly and PVC-free Yoga Mats to Avoid Phthalates and Other Toxic Chemicals, Plastic-free and BPA-free Feeding Gear for Babies and Kids, The Best Potties for Early Potty Training, Gluten-free German Pancakes (just as good as the wheat version! So products manufactured from PEVA is considered to be a healthier alternative to PVC … Here are … Dioxin and dioxin-like compounds are unintentionally created whenever chlorine-based chemicals are produced, used or burned. Chlorine is the basic building block of our most infamous toxic problems: CFCs which destroyed the ozone layer, the dioxin contamination at Love Canal and Times Beach, Agent Orange, PCBs and DDT pesticides. The product of the polymerization process is unmodified PVC. Many of these chemicals, called organochlorines, are resistant to breakdown and will remain in the environment for decades to come. One reason why PVC is so toxic is that it is often mixed with softening chemicals called plasticizers, the most well known variety being phalates. Accordingly, shops need to be equipped with sufficient ventilation systems. These chemicals are used as a stabilizer in PVC. Since safer alternatives are available for virtually all uses of PVC, it is possible to protect human health and the environment by replacing and eventually phasing out this poison plastic. According to CHEJ, "Scientists have found certain vinyl chemicals linked to asthma, cancer, birth defects, learning and developmental disabilities, obesity, diabetes and other preventable chronic diseases on the rise.". The use of PVC in construction (the largest overall use of PVC) doubled between 1980 and 1995. No other plastic contains or releases as many dangerous chemicals. These have been found to cause hormonal changes and … PEX tubing, PVC pipe, and CPVC pipe marked “NSF-61” or “NSF-PW” indicate that they have passed testing for potentially harmful chemicals leaching into the water. Communities surrounding PVC plants are particularly susceptible to the toxic chemical pollution from PVC production. On a practical level, heating PVC pipe can cause distortion. These toxins are building up in the water, air and food chain. Hydrogen chloride gas is lethal when inhaled. In its ongoing study of dioxin, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests that there is no safe level of dioxin exposure. Management of the nearby Dow Chemical factory followed suit soon after, buying out the entire town of Morrisonville, Louisiana. In the most severe cases, entire communities have been literally wiped off the map. Examples of potential human exposure are as numerous as the PVC products themselves. Garden Hoses Your typical garden hose is made from the most toxic plastic currently in existence: PVC (vinyl). In addition to dioxin, chlorine production also results in mercury emissions and asbestos waste. Many PVC additives, including phthalates and heavy metals such as lead, slowly leach out of PVC plastics over time when placed in a landfill (many of which are unlined), eventually contaminating ground and surface water. Dubbed the most toxic plastic, vinyl – or polyvinyl chloride – is used today in a superfluity of items surrounding us. Plasticizers have been shown to be directly transferred from PVC plastic "cling film" to food. PVC contaminates humans and the environment throughout its lifecycle during its production, use and disposal. The main ingredient in PVC is vinyl chloride, which is a known human carcinogen. PVC (#3 plastics) have another nasty lurking, a toxic group of chemicals called Organotin compounds. Have something to say? Usually clear in color, the vast majority of … PVC contains dangerous chemical additives including phthalates, lead, cadmium, and/or organotins, which can be toxic to your child's health. Not to mention that most of us would simply reheat the food in the same container, be it plastic, rather than put it on a plate. Polyvinyl chloride produces a great deal of vapor whic… The problems of plastics include extreme pollution from production, toxic chemical exposure during use, hazards from fires, and their contribution to the world's growing solid waste crisis. Plastic attracts other pollutants. Polyvinyl Chloride can be injection molded just like other plastics but the inclusion of chlorine in the material complicates the process. Merely handling a binder made with PVC stabilized by lead can result in lead exposure. Is Your Garden Hose Leaching BPA, Lead, and Phthalates into Your Water? Chemicals in plastic which give them their rigidity or flexibility (flame retardants, bisphenols, phthalates and other harmful chemicals) are oily poisons that repel water and stick to petroleum-based objects like plastic debris. Wagner adds that “3” and “7” also indicate PVC and PUR plastics, respectively, which his study found contained the most toxicity. You can get the jest of it, the toxic plastic transfer to food is unavoidable. (PVC is sometimes identified with the following symbol.). Its advantages are that it is highly versatile and relatively inexpensive. Use Eco-friendly and PVC-free Yoga Mats to Avoid P... Thrift Store Find: "Like New" Birthday Gifts for Kids, Easy Eco-tip Tuesday: Unjunk Your Mail Box, Everything Eco-novice Knows About Cloth Diapers. But one plastic stands alone: PVC, throughout its lifecycle, is the most environmentally damaging of all plastics. The Center for Health, Environment and Justice, a non-profit organization based in New York, calls polyvinyl chloride “one of the most hazardous consumer products ever created” [source: CHEJ]. Write to your Congressional Representatives and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The answer is that PVC is toxic to humans throughout its life cycle. In Denmark, government officials are currently considering the phase out of PVC by the year 2000. Healthy Child Healthy World describes PVC as the most toxic plastic , and vinyl chloride, the chemical used to make PVC, has been described as a known carcinogen by the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer. Is there a danger with outdoor furniture? Is PVC and Phthalate in toys toxic and dangerous for baby and child. Scientific studies reveal that these chemicals are linked to severe and wide-spread health problems, including infertility, immune system damage, impaired childhood development, hormone disruption, cancer and many other harmful effects. Instead, many of these compounds accumulate in fatty tissue, resulting in contamination levels thousands or millions of times greater than is found in the surrounding environment. Any hand contact with the chair could potentially leave undesirable substances on the hands though. Vinyl is the least recyclable plastic because of the diversity of additives used to make different types of PVC products. With a melting point of about 176 degrees Fahrenheit, PVC pipes may bend as the material approaches this temperature. 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