Tree Hugging Family - Living Green

Dangers of PVC

by Peggy on March 18th, 2008

This week I’m going to do a few posts involving PVC. It’s not exactly a fun topic, but I think it’s important. First, obviously, I’m going to talk about why PVC is considered dangerous. Then we’ll discuss a so-called green product made of PVC (hello?!). And then we’ll talk about one cool little PVC-free company.

PVC (polyvinyl chloride), recognized by the recycling symbol 3, is very difficult to recycle and usually ends up in a landfill. Most recycling centers won’t accept it. Less than three percent of PVC is recycled, and some estimates put that number at less than one percent! That’s really unfortunate, but it’s not even the main problem.

Communities surrounding factories that make products containing PVC are suffering from groundwater and air pollution. But you don’t have to live near a factory to experience effects from PVC. It leaches out of materials. It’s that new car and vinyl shower curtain smell. When children chew on vinyl toys like rubber ducks, they can be exposed to dangerous phthalates. PVC also gives the gift of dioxins when it is produced, recycled or burned. Dioxins are bad, bad.

You can read more about the health and environmental dangers of PVC at www.besafe.net, a website of the Center for Health, Environment and Justice (CHEJ).

When alternatives are readily available, why use something that releases chemicals linked to cancer and birth defects? (Source for PVC dangers info is CHEJ).

Several large companies have already developed PVC phase-out plans, meaning they will sell far fewer products (and packaging) containing PVC. Some of these companies include Wal-Mart, Honda, Microsoft, Mattel and Sony, among others.

CHEJ gives you 10 ways to take action, including purchasing PVC-free products. CHEJ also discusses Safe Products and suggests contacting the manufacturer if in doubt. So, check it out. Green blogging friend Rebecca of Green Baby Guide also has a post up today about avoiding plastic toys. And she recommended a great blog featuring BPA-free baby gear news and reviews: The Soft Landing Blog. I added it under Shop Green in the blogroll.

And please come back soon for a discussion on a “green” product made of PVC.

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POSTED IN: Health & Wellness, Toxic Stuff