Numerous objects of our most daily environment are made of vinyl polychloride, also known as PVC, a type of thermoplastic that does not make good crumbs with the planet.
It is a synthetic material, very versatile and recyclable, with very different applications once recycled. However, the latter characteristic do not make it an ecological product. In the case of PVC, it is necessary to take into consideration other issues. ¿Why the PVC is toxic and polluting?
An environmental poison
It is not ecological, at least, in the broad sense of the word, because there are many characteristics in it that indicate the opposite. Without going any further, the composition and manufacturing process of this plastic product, one of the most used in the world, is tremendously harmful to the environment. Among other issues, bringing chlorine in its composition is a Polucous material both during its production and during use and when it burns.
Basically, it can be considered an environmental poison, since it forms Organochlorined substances when burningemitting dioxins that took out in the environment. Therefore, it is of great environmental toxicity. In turn, food use is another of the most controversial uses.
Specifically, food containers manufactured with PVCs (let’s avoid type 3, corresponding to PVC, which may contain ftlate), end up deriving it to drink or food in very small doses of chemicals that are bioaccumulate in the body and act as endocrine disruptors, while associated with fetal malformations and serious diseases such as cancer.
In fact, some types of PVC can release bisphenol A, with health risks that this entails. We will find the PVC in water bottles (most are manufactured with Pet 1, and do not contain it), oils, vinegar, wine or, for example juices, as well as in the movie-Film to keep food, among others.
Is it also toxic?
There are numerous studies attributed to the PVC a worrying toxicity. According to a study by The Center for Health, Environment and Justice (Chej), he is responsible for many types of cancer and birth defects. There are numerous companies that have considered reducing their use, and even eliminating it from production processes, although its use remains tremendous.
Some Eco Advantages of PVC
As not everything is black or white, as we have advanced mentioning its recycling, the PVC is also characterized by a series of green aspects. For example, since it is a very common construction material, let’s focus on the case of the windows of this material.
As is well known, the windows or doors of this material achieve a greater thermal insulation than others for usual use, such as aluminum. And this is an important savings in heating and air conditioning, both issues related to a lower energy expenditure and, therefore, with a lighter carbon footprint.
However, since for its manufacture, heavy and carcinogenic metals are used, among others the cadmium, both this and its degradation, -once it becomes waste, especially if it ends in a landfill and is incinerated -, it is an environmental drama, not exempt from toxicity.
The modern formulations, following the example, also have greater durability That just a few years ago, another interesting factor if we seek sustainability. However, before taking into account its positive aspects at the environmental level, – which is recyclable, its durability or its contribution to emit a lower carbon footprint, let’s put out – the damage that PVC implies, its real dangers and the risk to the health of the planet and the human being related to its manufacture and use, since it is a massive use in the whole world.
On the other hand, durability is actually relative, and even lower than the one provided by wood. Reports of the WWF International Conservation Association It is concluded that these are between 14 and 25 percent less expensive than the PVC if it is considered its useful life period, greater in the case of wood.
Dangerous in all your life cycle
Even considering its green advantages, the truth is that the dish of The balance is inclined to the opposite side. According to Chej, the “PVC is dangerous for humans and the entire ecosystem throughout their life cycle, from the factory, the use, to its elimination.”
The organization emphasizes its unhealthiness:
“Our bodies are contaminated by additive chemical particles, mercury and toxic phthalates (…) that can cause irreversible damage. When it occurs or burns, the PVC releases dioxins, a group of chemical substances that can cause cancer, attack the immune system and the reproductive system.”
Not even the fact that your recycling is possible, and increasingly common, are aspects of all positive. On the one hand, as long as it is recycled, the environment is stopped directly, and in regard to plastics this is always good news. However, according to the same organism, “the PVC cannot be effectively recycled”, since the additives used in the manufacturing process so that it is durable and flexible contaminates the entire process. And there goes an enlightening example that also serves in the Chej tray when he states that “a PVC bottle can contaminate a recycling process the same as 100,000 bottles of PET.”
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