The science behind a phase-out of polyvinyl chloride plastics
Publication date: October 1997
Summary
Most people are aware that plastics cause environmental problems. Their low biodegradability means that disposal always has environmental consequences and because they are made from oil or gas they are associated with all the pollution involved in the petro-chemical industry. The environmental hazards of PVC however go far beyond those associated with other plastics. Some of today's most worrying environmental contaminants are released during the production of PVC or its feedstocks and when PVC products are disposed of.
