Polyvinyl chloride, commonly referred to as PVC or vinyl, is one of the world's most widely produced plastics, at more than 40 million metric tons per year, and its output is increasing continuously because of its great versatility and low cost. It is made from ethylene, which is obtained from crude oil, and chlorine, obtained from salt.
PVC is produced in two basic forms: rigid and flexible. Among the main applications for the former are construction materials (such as for plumbing, siding, and window frames), plastic bottles, non-food packaging and cards (such as bank cards and membership cards). Examples of applications for the latter include electrical cable insulation, imitation leather, flooring, signage, inflatable products, plastic rope, and gloves.
PVC is damaging the environment in various ways and may be the most environmentally harmful of all plastics. One way is that its production is highly energy-intensive. Another is that it is highly stable and does not degrade in the soil. A third is that, while all plastics have very low recycling rates, vinyl is the least recycled, with a rate that may be only about one percent. This is because of the difficulty of recycling due to the extensive and varied use of additives used to give it the properties required for specific applications. A fourth is the toxicity of the additives.
Flexible PVC is most commonly made by the addition of phthalates, which are widely used but toxic plasticizers that can make plastic softer and more flexible. Also used as solvents in cosmetics and other consumer products, phthalates can damage the liver, kidneys, lungs, and reproductive system of humans and other animals. They enter the environment not only during the manufacturing of the plastics, but also during the daily use and eventual disposal of the plastic products, including the leaching out into the groundwater when dumped in landfills. Other dangerous additives in PVC can include lead and cadmium.
Because PVC is so difficult to recycle and is not biodegradable, much of it eventually gets burned, either intentionally by incineration or accidentally, including in landfill fires. Burning releases large amounts of highly toxic gasses, the most concerning of which is dioxin, which is continuously accumulating in the water, soil and food chain, including in human bodies. Dioxin is one of the most toxic chemicals ever created, and even very low levels of exposure can result in severe health problems. Some estimates place PVC as the source of 80 percent of dioxin air pollution.