Environment polyvinyl chloride

Compared with tar, which has a relatively short lifetime in the marine environment, the residence times of plastic, glass and non-corrodible metallic debris are indefinite. Most plastic articles are fabricated from polyethylene, polystyrene or polyvinyl chloride. With molecular weights ranging to over 500,000, the only chemical reactivity of these polymers is derived from any residual unsaturation and, therefore, they are essentially inert chemically and photochemically. Further, since indigenous microflora lack the enzyme systems necessary to degrade most of these polymers, articles manufactured from them are highly resistant or virtually immune to biodegradation. That is, the properties that render plastics so durable... 

Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions (UK), Life Cycle Assessment of Polyvinyl Chloride and Alternatives, DETR, London (2001). 

One outlet for polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyvinyl chloride waste is plastic lumber. These materials, often containing more than one polymer and a wide variety of additives, provide superior weather resistance in humid environments when compared to natural wood. To manufacture these materials, the compound incorporates compatibilizers, which allow dissimilar polymers to mix evenly, Additionally, they assist in the incorporation of fillers and additives, such as wood flour, calcium carbonate, and pigments. 

Vinyl chloride (VC) is the monomer from which the common polymer, polyvinyl chloride, is produced. Hence, VC is produced on a very large scale. Not surprisingly, occasional releases of the rather toxic VC to the environment occur. What initial biodegradation product would you expect from VC if it were released into an oxic environment ... 

Organotin compounds are ubiquitous in the environment because of their widespread use as thermal and UV stabilisers for polyvinyl chloride (PVC), in agro-... 

Among the emerging pollutants of industrial origin, Bisphenol A [2,2 bis(4-hydroxydiphenyl)pro-pane] (BPA) has special relevance since it was one of the first chemicals discovered to mimic estrogens as endocrine disrupters.147 This compound was first reported by Dianin in 1891.1411 BPA is produced in large quantities worldwide, mainly for the preparation of polycarbonates, epoxy resins, and unsaturated polyester-styrene resins.149 The final products are used in many ways, such as coatings on cans, powder paints, additives in thermal paper, in dental composite fillings, and even as antioxidants in plasticizers or polymerization inhibitors in polyvinyl chloride (PVC). To a minor extent, BPA is also used as precursor for flame retardants such as tetrabromobisphenol A or tetrabromobisphenol-S-bis(2,3-dibromopropyl) ether.150 This substance can enter the environment... 

Concern for the environment is nothing new, yet decisions affecting the chemical sector are making headlines. Microsoft curtailed its use of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), also known as vinyl, for computer packaging products. Other companies cutting their use of PVC include Hewlett Packard, Wal-Mart Stores and Kaiser Permanente. Another potentially... 

Washington, D.C., 20th-24th Aug.2000, p.1796-7 PERMANENCE OF PLASTICISERS IN POLYVINYL CHLORIDE OBJECTS IN THE MUSEUM ENVIRONMENT... 

Oxy Vinyls LP Polyvinyl chloride (suspension) Vinyl chloride monomer Efficient, low-cost, high productive technology includes environment, health and safety controls, High level DCS, low RVCM condensers 16 1998... 

Siracusa A, Forcina A, Volpi R, et al. 1988. An 11-year longitudinal study of the occupational dust exposure and lung function of polyvinyl chloride, cement and asbestos cement factory workers. Scand J Work Environ Health 14 181-188. 

This is a huge general category of materials, which includes both thermoplastics and thermosetting polymers. Tabular data on the corrosion resistance of these materials in a wide range of environments are available from a variety of sources. Commonly used materials of construction in the CPI include polyvinyl chloride (PVC and CPVC), polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polycarbonate, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), fiberglass composite materials, and a variety of epoxies used for coatings or adhesives. 

The Danish minister of environment in 1988 announced that within a few years the manufacture and use of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products had to be reduced as much as technically and economically possible due to their environmental impacts of production, use, and disposal. This preventive environmental policy was mainly based on the emission of hydrogen chloride and dioxins from waste incineration. A study of the technical, economic, and environmental consequences of a substitution was initiated by the National Agency of Environmental Protection. The goal was to collect background data for the upcoming negotiations between the environmental authorities and PVC-industry and manufacturers of PVC products in Denmark. The environmental assessment focused on PVC and 11 alternative materials, such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephtalate (PET), polystyrene (PS), polyurethane (PUR), synthetic rubbers (EPDM, CR and SBR), paper, impregnated wood, and aluminum. ... 

Polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene and polypropylene have exhibited outstanding versatility to a multitude of hostile environments in the various process industries. 

There are increasing pressures on the pharmaceutical industry to use environmentally friendly materials in products, which are biodegradable or recyclable and do no harm to the environment. Examples are the replacement of CFCs in pressurised metered dose aerosols and the replacement of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) for alternative packaging materials in some countries. Any special restrictions on the use of materials in the product need to be identified at the product design stage. The choice of appropriate materials to suit product, customer and environment may also have cost implications. 

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