Vinyl chloride, a class I carcinogen is the monomer used to produce PVC. Humans have high probability of acquiring cancer due to vinyl chloride exposure. As a matter of fact 13% of death in this world happens because of cancer.
PVC is not bio-degradable like many other polymers. It is cost prohibitive to recycle PVC in a safe way, because of the number and types of additives used in its production. Less than 1% of PVC is recycled across the world. Its contents can leech out in to the environment at any point of their life cycle.
Phthalates are used as plasticizers to soften PVC, their content usually range from 1 to 40% in proportion with other additives. It can be found in soft toys, medical equipments like tubes & blood bags, cosmetics, surface coatings etc. Phthalates can leech out during use, causes liver and kidney damage and reproductive system damages.
PCB (Polychlorobiphenyl) is added as a stabilizing additive in flexible PVC. Dioxins and PCBs are produced as by-products when PVC is produced or burned. Production of PCB is completely banned in many countries since 1970 because of its adverse health effects. Dioxins can persist in the environment and can travel long distances.
Phthalates, PCB and Dioxins are identified as potential endocrine disrupters and carcinogens.
PVC is declared as ‘contaminant’ even before 10 years in many countries. Still many Indian majors are strategizing their timelines to phase out hazardous substances.
PVC is a commonly used insulation on electrical wires, used abundantly in construction applications, medical applications, automobile interiors, many forms of cards (smart cards, credit cards etc), and in clothing and footwear to name a few.
20.11.08
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Hey Mohan,
ReplyDeleteI jus went thro your blog & to tell you,
Its a really good initative that u have taken up,
The remarks made by you are really a matter of concern & Should be taken up in the right direction.
Especially the contents written on taflon tale is quite an eye opeaner.
I would really give it a thought before shoping for those items.
Well so Keep the Good work goin..
N all the best
Good stuff. Haven't heard about anyone stil using PCB legally as a PVC additive. What's the source on that one? Lots of good information on PVC at www.pharosproject.net/wiki/index.php?title=PVC
ReplyDeletethere were some rare instances reported in media on using PCB as a stabilizer, which has got no strong base, I felt it is necessary to empazise it. But commercially cadmium or lead is still used as a stabilizing agent very well in India
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