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US begins review that could spell trouble for PVC

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Thursday, December 14th 2023, announced a review that could eventually lead to the end of PVC plastic production -- impacting everything from records to rubber ducks. 

Vinyl chloride, which is used in the manufacturing and processing of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), was officially classified as a human carcinogen in 1974 and banned in hair sprays, refrigerants, cosmetics and drugs.

It is the same chemical that burned in a tower of black smoke over an Ohio town where a train derailed earlier this year.

But it continues to be widely used to make PVC water lines, siding panels for houses, and product packaging -- as well as vinyl records and bathtub toys.  

An EPA statement on the review, which includes four other chemicals, said the step was "consistent with a commitment from the Biden-Harris Administration to understand and address environmental and toxic exposures" as part of President Joe Biden's "Cancer Moonshot" initiative. 

Reacting to the news, Judith Enck, president of the nonprofit Beyond Plastics and a former EPA regional administrator told AFP: "Today is step one, and we've been waiting for step one for decades."

National, state and city governments across the world have been steadily tightening restrictions on PVC usage and disposal.

"Vinyl chloride can set off a cascade of health impacts including liver cancers, brain and lung cancers, lymphoma, and leukemia," said Cynthia Palmer, senior analyst for Petrochemicals at Moms Clean Air Force.

It also crosses the placental barrier during pregnancy. 

"Vinyl chloride threatens our health and contaminates the environment from manufacture through disposal, with workers and people who live near chemical facilities and along vinyl chloride distribution routes experiencing the greatest exposures and danger," added Liz Hitchcock of Toxic-Free Future.

Tuesday's action begins a year-long process that includes a public comment period. By around December 2024, EPA will announce what steps it intends to take -- from doing nothing, to placing additional restrictions on PVC, to banning it altogether in the United States, said Enck. 

UPDATE - Jan 24, 2025

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a ruling targeting diisononyl phthalate (DINP), a chemical widely used as a plasticizer in products like polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes. This decision should change how materials used in plumbing systems are regulated, with significant implications for health, environmental safety, and construction practices.

DINP is primarily used to enhance flexibility and durability in PVC products. However, growing evidence shows that it poses serious health risks, particularly as it leaches into water supplies. According to the EPA’s strategy to prevent plastic pollution, PVC pipes are a substantial contributor to microplastic and chemical contamination in drinking water systems, exacerbating environmental and human health hazards.

Leaching and Environmental Risks

DINP migrates out of PVC pipes into surrounding environments, particularly when exposed to heat, mechanical stress, or water flow. A study from Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine identified PVC as a material that frequently releases hazardous substances, including phthalates. While PVC pipes used for potable water distribution should never contain DINP to comply with NSF/ANSI 61 standards, those used in drain, waste, and vent (DWV) systems or irrigation systems can still introduce DINP into the environment as it leaches from pipes into soil and water. This underscores the need for greater vigilance in material selection to mitigate risks both inside and outside buildings.

Health Implications

The health impacts of DINP are particularly alarming. According to a study published in Bioresource Technology, phthalates like DINP are linked to reproductive toxicity, hormone disruption, and developmental delays. As DINP leaches into drinking water, exposure risks increase, especially in vulnerable populations such as children and pregnant women.

The EPA has regulated benzene in drinking water to 5 parts-per-billion due to its carcinogenic properties, and similar scrutiny should apply to DINP and other harmful leachates. California’s Proposition 65 list has long classified DINP as a reproductive toxicant, which reinforces its potential risks in public health.

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