In the United States, from 1960s to 1970s, it was noticed that workers in PVC factories had some malignant liver cancer. [7] Europe and Australia have also begun to notice that workers in PVC factories suffer from several cancers.
The main questions are:
PVC can only be used with additives or plasticizers, most of which are harmful and may seep or evaporate.
Some additives can interfere with biological endocrine and affect reproductive function.
Some additives increase the risk of cancer.
Burning garbage containing PVC will produce dioxin, which is a carcinogenic air pollutant and a by-product of vinyl chloride. Dioxin is a highly toxic substance, which may cause diseases such as cancer and become a global threat, because dioxin can be widely distributed in the environment and cannot be dissipated. Even a small amount of exposure, dioxins are still likely to be related to immune system pressure, fertility problems, various cancers and endocrine diseases. According to the report provided by ICI Chemical and Polymer Products Co., Ltd. 1994 and a document published by 1989, these oxychlorination reactions (using vinyl chloride and some chlorinated solvents) will produce polyclicated dibenzodioxides (PCDDS) and dibenzofurans (in English).
Dioctyl phthalate (DEHP) is often used as plasticizer in PVC. Because DEHP is easy to atomize, other vinyl products, including automobile interiors, shower curtains or floor materials, will also release chemical gases into the air, and DEHP is also easy to dissolve in oily liquids. In addition, people have begun to pay attention to the safety of additives oozing out when children chew these soft plastic toys.
PVC toys are a great threat to children's health. Because children in the oral period will directly eat plasticizers such as DEHP in PVC plastics by licking or putting toys in their mouths.
In 2008, a joint study of the United States and Canada pointed out that when testing five kinds of plastic shower curtains, they released more than 100 toxic substances within 28 days. [8][9]
On June 5438+ 10, 2006, six kinds of phthalate softeners were banned in toys in Europe. In the United States, more and more companies that make PVC toys for this age group voluntarily stop using PVC or phthalate esters. The US Food and Drug Administration suggested that manufacturers should consider banning DEHP in the equipment of sensitive patients (such as babies born less than one month), but the safety of replacing plasticizers has not been tested.
Greenpeace, an environmental group, advocates the global phasing out of PVC.