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TOYS ARE NOT THE ONLY HAZARD POSED BY VINYL (PVC) PRODUCTS

WASHINGTON December 3, 1998 - - Greenpeace said today that contrary to industry assertions that vinyl plastic (PVC) is a safe, reliable material, the record shows that vinyl is a material which poses numerous health problems. It cited the following cases:
Old PVC pipes leach a human carcinogen: Miles of PVC pipe in Kansas have been leaching vinyl chloride into drinking water. Vinyl chloride is a known human carcinogen and building block of vinyl plastic. Roughly 10% of rural drinking water supplies in Kansas are known to be contaminated, with one supply leaching vinyl chloride in amounts that are seven times higher than Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) safety levels.

New PVC pipes leach metals: A pilot investigation by Health Canada found organotins leaching into drinking water in half the residential supplies tested. PVC requires a metal stabilizer to remain intact and organotins are widely used despite their poisonous effects on animals. The EPA is considering organotins for drinking water regulation.

PVC miniblinds cause lead childhood poisoning: In 1996, lead poisoned children in three states triggered state and federal investigations that revealed that vinyl miniblinds released lead dust as they degraded in the light. Since the blinds were never recalled or exchanged by the industry, as many as 300 million lead-containing vinyl blinds still remain in US homes. The State of North Carolina estimates that 9% of the childhood lead poisonings in the state are due to vinyl miniblinds.

PVC fires release dense acid smoke and dioxin: In 1984, the Navy banned the use of vinyl coated wiring due to the large amount of acidic smoke emitted in a fire. In 1997, a vinyl scrap yard fire forced the evacuation of 200 people from their homes in Smyth County, Virginia. Another 1997 vinyl scrap fire in Hamilton, Ontario created one of the worst dioxin contaminated sites in Canada. According to EPA, medical waste incinerators that burn vinyl intravenous bags, tubing etc. are one of the largest dioxin sources in the U.S.

PVC manufacturing contaminates groundwater: Vinyl facilities have a grim record of groundwater contamination with toxic chemicals. This year, the Vista Co. of Lake Charles, Louisiana admitted to a 1,600-pound spill of EDC, a known carcinogen. Civil litigation revealed the actual extent of groundwater contamination to be 19-47 million pounds.

"The record speaks for itself. Vinyl is not a safe material, " said Dr. Joe DiGangi, a biochemist from Greenpeace.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:
Rick Hind, Toxics Specialist, (202) 319-2445
Dr. Joe DiGangi, Ph.D., Toxics Specialist, (312) 554-1029
Dwight Mims, Media Officer, (202) 319-2436