Polyvinyl chloride is a widely used plastic known for its ease of processing and durability. The material is flame retardant and does not usually decompose when exposed to the sun’s rays.
Applications of polyvinyl chloride
PVC is available in two forms. Rigid PVC is not flexible and is used, for example, for pipelines or garden and camping furniture. Soft PVC becomes flexible through the incorporation of plasticisers and is used to make synthetic leather, shoe soles or tarpaulins.
Environment and health
PVC is versatile and durable. But it has some disadvantages when you look at its impact on health and the environment.
Although PVC can be recycled, it usually suffers a loss of quality in the process. PVC recycling is therefore often not very popular.
When incinerated in waste recycling plants, corrosive hydrogen chloride is produced, and in the presence of metal or carbon, the toxic gas phosgene can even be produced.
The source material of PVC (vinyl chloride) can cause cancer in humans and is considered to be mutagenic.
Some of the plasticisers contained, such as phthalates, are damaging to the liver and kidneys and are also suspected of being carcinogenic. Other plasticisers are considered to be harmful to fertility. Some plasticisers are banned in children’s toys for this reason.
However, it’s the quantity that determines whether it’s toxic. Not every product containing PVC immediately leads to the health effects described above. We are talking here about the potential effects of the substances. Nevertheless, it does no harm to find out whether a product contains PVC before you buy it.
PVC-free label
It’s very difficult to completely avoid PVC. It is the third most commonly used plastic. You should, however, make sure that products for kids and foodstuffs in particular are free of PVC.
An increasing number of companies from all industries are looking for appropriate alternatives to produce PVC-free – including the outdoor industry, of course.
