PVC = poly vinyl chloride = Dioxin

 health and enviornmental problems

PVC links

PVC is by far the most environmentally damaging plastic. The PVC life cycle -- its production, use, and disposal -- results in the release of toxic, chlorine-based chemicals.  The chlorine reacts with other chemicals to form unwanted by-products like dioxin, PCBs, hexachlorobenzene, acidic gases, and others.  These toxins are building up in the water, air and food chain.  PVC is produced from imported, non-renewable fossil fuels and lethal chlorine gas.  Its production involves transportation of dangerous poisonous explosive materials and the creation of toxic waste. The plasticizers / pthalates used to make the PVC flexible are carcinogenic and harmful to the environment, particularly when they evaporate or leach into food.  If landfilled, PVC eventually releases its additives, threatening ground water.  Fires and incinerators cause the release of PVC's toxic chemicals such as dioxin.  PVC production is the largest single use of chlorine in the U.S.

Toxic poisoning can take years and even generations to manifest all it's dastardly deeds. PVC has been around for a long time. Since about 1872 to be exact. The earliest patents for PVC production were taken out in the USA in 1912 and pilot plant production of PVC began in Germany and the USA in the early 1930's.

Just to point out that how long the product has been out and how much acclaim it may have gotten by the scientific community is not relative to it's potential problems - I bring up the story of DDT - dichlorodiphenyl-trichloroethane. The first of the "chlorinated" organic insecticides DDT was created in 1873. In 1939 Paul Muller of Geigy Pharmaceutical in Switzerland discovered the effectiveness of DDT as an insecticide and was awarded the Nobel Prize in medicine and physiology in 1948 for this discovery). DDT proved to be an ecological disaster. It took until 1973 before the U.S. banned DDT. Not everything that appears to be technologically safe - is.
 

The poison plastic - this is where Greenpeace spells it out

In Strictest Confidence - the chemical industry's secrets - Houston Chronicle

Trade Secrets the Bill Moyers’ PBS special on the Chemical Industry

The burning question chlorine and dioxin - Greenpeace

Swedish Research Suggests PVC-Cancer Link

PVC_Plastics an evaluation of stafety issues - Turner Toys

Health Care With Out Harm's PVC page with lots of detailed info on PVC

Play safe buy PVC free - Greenpeace

Dioxin factories exposed - Greenpeace

Known Carcinogen: VINYL CHLORIDE

Angiosarcoma Of The Liver Among PVC Workers

PVC Recycling industry deceives politicians and consumers - Greenpeace

The Failed Promise of PVC Recycling - Greenpeace

Biodegradable plastics for a better future

PVC & Dioxin: Enough Is Enough

Health Canada advises parents and caregivers of very young children to dispose of soft vinyl (PVC) teethers and soft vinyl (PVC) rattles

Dioxin does cause cancer in humans

Oakland City Council passes resolution on dioxin reduction
 

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