Poisonous PVC

Dangers of PVC as a Building Material

Poisonous PVC (polyvinyl chlorate)

Category 3, the poison plastic. Global production is approximately 51 billion pounds per year. (Stringer 2001) . Approximately 75% of all PVC is used in construction materials. The complete lifecycle from manufacture to disposal is a serious hazard to health and the environment. Can be flexible or rigid in form. Flexible products release phthalates and are a breeding ground for moulds.

Building block: Vinyl chloride

Additives: Without highly toxic additives, PVC is brittle and hard. High chlorine content, chemical stabilizers; adipates, lead, cadmium, organotins, phthalate plasticizers.

Health: Production accidentally creates Dioxin as a by-product, one of the most dangerous chemicals on earth, as well as ethylene dichloride and vinyl chloride, all known carcinogens. Indoor air pollutants from PVC are associated with neural and development problems, reproduction problems, damage to the immune system, birth defects, impaired child development, endometriosis, hormone disrupter, asthma, respiration conditions, allergies, cancer.

Substances used and created during production are bio-accumulative, fat soluble and build up in living tissue. Dioxins accumulate in the food chain and travel globally. Detected in tissue of humans and other species, from whales to polar bears. Foetuses and unborn babies are contaminated with greater concentration levels of dioxins though the placenta and breast milk. No known dose of PVC is considered safe. Highly toxic, even in extremely low concentration levels.

Environment: PVC is the only organochlorine used in building materials. Production creates the most chlorine gas globally, a hazardous waste by-product. Production is an extremely energy intensive process, depleting non-renewable resources and creating carbon emissions. Mercury is created during production, causing further pollution and poisoning. PVC incineration creates toxic dioxins e.g. hydrogen chloride which when inhaled transforms to hydrochloric acid. Metal stabilizers are released into the air; lead, cadmium and organotins.

Leaching: Poisonous PVC leaches into food and water. Additives are not stable within PVC and contaminate the land, air and water from the moment of processing continuing after disposal; either di(2-ethylhexyl), phthalate (DEHP) or butyl benzyl phthalate (BBzP).

Products: Window frames, insulation, doors, roof, siding, gutters, railings, fences, decking, gutters, flues, waterstops, weather-stripping, flashing, mouldings, panels, flooring, electrical casing, cables, plumbing pipes, soft furnishings, upholstery, bedding, textiles, accessories, wallpaper, tiles, wall coverings, carpet fibres, curtains, blinds, household bottles, personal care bottles, shower curtains, aprons, food packaging, washing up dryers, clothes horses, toys, cling film, cosmetics, bags, luggage, consumer items, office items, Christmas decorations.

Recyclable: Does not decompose easily. Additives and chlorine content means it cannot be easily recycled. Less than half of 1% is recycled in the USA and less than 3% in Europe. In 1988, the Association of Post Consumer Plastics Recyclers labelled PVC a contaminant and that recycling is not possible. Can only be downcycled into lesser grade products. To date the production of virgin grade PVC has not reduced due to lack of recyclability.

Recycled products: Garden decking, panels, flooring, cables, mats, up to 10% of reground PVC is added into virgin PVC production of window frames and doors.

Alternatives: Metal, glass, timber, ceramic, paper, linoleum, cork, rugs, natural carpet.