What Are the Dangers of PVC Plastic?

Polyvinyl chloride, also known as PVC, is a type of flexible plastic used in products ranging from children's toys to electrical wire. In recent years, PVC has drawn criticism for its negative health and environmental effects. Learning more about the dangers of PVC plastic allows you to make informed decisions about your use of the substance.

Toxic Additives

• Polyvinyl chloride is made more flexible by combining it with additives during the production process. The Greenpeace website states that a number of toxic substances including lead, cadmium and phthalates may be added to PVC to alter its color or texture. Phthalates are a group of synthetic compounds thought to disrupt endocrine function by interfering with estrogen in the body. According to the Healthy Building Network, PVC requires more additives than any other form of plastic and accounts for 90 percent of all phthalate use in the U.S. While more research is needed, limiting your exposure to phthalates is probably a good idea until more is known about their health effects.

Unstable Chemical Bonds

• PVC can be found in a variety of everyday products, including electrical wire, shrink wrap and imitation leather clothing. PVC releases toxins that can cause birth defects, endocrine disruption, immune suppression and cancer. While generally stable at room temperature, PVC may leach toxins into surrounding substances when exposed to heat. Leaving containers in the sun or heating them in the microwave could be sufficient to trigger the release of toxins into food or water. More studies are needed before the full spectrum of health effects of PVC are known.

Disposal Hazards

• PVC is a hazard in landfills, where it takes years to decompose. According to the Greenpeace website, PVC and its additives may leach into the ground, contaminating the groundwater and soil. Incineration or fires that occur after disposal can cause far-reaching damage as aromatic hydrocarbons, dioxins and other toxic byproducts spread through the air as smoke. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences states that dioxins have been shown to increase the risk of cancer, diabetes and heart disease in highly exposed populations.

Prevention/Solution

• With the prevalence of PVC in our everyday environment, it's impossible to completely avoid all exposures. Choosing safer alternatives when possible is the best strategy for reducing the health risks of PVC use. Drinking from re-usable containers made from other materials like polyethylene or stainless steel reduces your daily contact with PVC plastic in soft plastic water bottles.