PVC Panic

The Center for Environment, Health and Justice has come out with a report that points to potential health and environmental threats from polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The report details the environmental burden associated with PVC, including the usual suspects, dioxin emissions during open burning or incineration, groundwater contamination and the filling of municipal solid waste landfills. I’ll quibble about the hazard evaluation some other time, but of greater value were the discussions of alternatives to PVC, and tips for organizing and being activists.

Freeing ourselves from PVC is going to be tough. It’s a lot like going on a diet, something else a lot of Americans have trouble with.

Still no word on the growing threat from PBDEs.