50 years ago, some of plastic’s toxic hazards were exposed
Worker exposure to vinyl chloride became tightly regulated after the chemical was linked with liver cancer. Now, its use may be on the chopping block.
Excerpt from the September 7, 1974 issue of Science News
Vinyl chloride is a key ingredient in a widely used plastic. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed a review of the chemical’s safety and environmental data that will lead to stricter regulations or even a ban of its use.
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Toxic surprises from the plastics industry — Science News, September 7, 1974
Within the United States alone, more than 29 billion pounds of plastic are produced every year. An estimated 2.5 million workers are engaged in mass producing them…. A whole lot of those chemicals used to make plastics are so toxic that they impact workers’ health. Earlier this year, 15 vinyl chloride workers died from a rare, chemically induced liver cancer.
Update
Vinyl chloride is a prime ingredient in PVC, a non-carcinogenic plastic commonly used for water pipes, IV bags and a lot other products. Safety standards for vinyl chloride were set in 1975. Nowadays, U.S. workers’ exposure levels are tightly regulated. But the chemical may soon be on the chopping block. In July, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposed a review of vinyl chloride’s safety and environmental data, which could lead to a ban. The proposal follows a train derailment in Ohio in 2023 that exposed a detailed-by community to vinyl chloride and other hazardous chemicals. Residents reported respiratory symptoms and headaches, nonetheless it undoubtedly’s too soon to grab what the exposure means for his or her risk of cancer.
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