The Issue

Despite its many alternatives, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is one of the most widely used plastics. Unfortunately, its production, use, and disposal create persistent toxic pollution, including dioxin.

At low levels, dioxin can cause a range of health problems from learning disabilities to cancer. The Environmental Protection Agency now estimates that the cancer risk from dioxin for the average American is as high as 1 in 1000.

More than 14 billion pounds of PVC are currently produced per year in North America. Approximately 75% of all PVC manufactured is used in construction materials. There are also many PVC consumer products such as toys, shower curtains, and window blinds.

Hospitals also use PVC medical devices such as intravenous bags and tubing. DEHP, a phthalate used to soften PVC plastic, can leach from PVC medical devices and is linked to reproductive birth defects and other illnesses, according to animal studies.

PVC requires the use of many toxic chemical stabilizers , such as lead, cadmium and organotins, and phthalate plasticizers. These chemicals leach, flake, or outgas from the PVC over time, raising risks that include asthma, lead poisoning, and cancer.

PVC poses a great risk in building fires. It releases deadly gases such as hydrogen chloride long before it ignites, which turns to hydrochloric acid when inhaled. Burning PVC, whether accidentally or in waste incineration, also results in dioxin.

Because PVC products require many additives, recycling is nearly impossible for most products and interferes with the recycling of other plastics. The Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers declared it a contaminant in 1998.

Washington Toxics Coalition is working to get governments, businesses, hospitals, and consumers to buy PVC-free products.