The Poison Plastic
The Center for Health, Environment, and Justice has a shiny new site up for its anti-PVC campaign. Learn about vinyl’s environmental and health hazards, how to protect your family, and which companies are phasing out PVC. And while you’re there, take action and get Wal-mart to honor its sustainability pledge by wiping PVC out from its supply chain.
From shower curtains to sippy cups, PVC products are ubiquitous. The bare-bones summary:
- Polyvinyl chloride, also known as vinyl or PVC, poses risks to both the environment and human health. PVC is also the least recyclable plastic.
- Vinyl chloride workers face elevated risk of liver cancer.
- Vinyl chloride manufacturing creates air and water pollution near the factories, often located in low-income neighborhoods.
- PVC needs additives and stabilizers to make it useable. For example, lead is often added for strength, while plasticizers are added for flexibility. These toxic additives contribute to further pollution and human exposure.
- Dioxin in air emissions from PVC manufacturing and disposal or from incineration of PVC products settles on grasslands and
accumulates in meat and dairy products and ultimately in human tissue. Dioxin is a known carcinogen. Low-level exposures are
associated with decreased birth weight, learning and behavioral problems in children, suppressed immune function and disruption.
I got it! C.O.V.E.N: Crafters Opposing Vinyl Entirely. Yes? No? Bueller?
The Worsted Witch » Paper Nor Plastic Redux said,
July 28, 2006 at 11:46 am
[...] [A summary of the nastiness of PVC followed] [...]
Heidi said,
July 28, 2006 at 12:45 pm
Yes! Count me in. I’ve been trying to find ways to reuse my vinyl shower curtain. I think I’ll just store it in the shed and use it as a tarp for camping or something. As a vegetarian who doesn’t buy new leather shoes, belts or bags, it’s also difficult to face all the vinyl and PVC “alternatives” to leather.
I’m also against the highly flammable corn-based acrylic Ingeo. I’d love it if you wrote a post for knitters and spinners about this green-washed devil!
The Worsted Witch » U.S. Rules Allow the Sale of Products Others Ban said,
October 8, 2006 at 8:36 am
[...] Related articles: 1. The Poison Plastic 2. Mail Call: Toxic Wood [...]
The Worsted Witch » Sam Suds and the Case of PVC said,
October 11, 2006 at 10:56 am
[...] Related articles: 1. The Poison Plastic 2. Blue Vinyl [...]
The Worsted Witch » Mail Call: Nontoxic Shower Curtains said,
October 16, 2006 at 2:38 pm
[...] Related articles: 1. Sam Suds and the Case of PVC 2. The Poison Plastic 3. Blue Vinyl [...]
Nancy Plourd said,
June 29, 2007 at 12:05 pm
We are about to buy a mobile home and will need to install new siding. The court we will be in insists on vinyl siding and we will not use it. Please advise us as to what is a viable solution. We both have several allergies and I am celiac and do not need more things to upset my already compromised body.
Thanks for any help you can give
Nancy