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PVC and the Environment

PVC is one of the most thoroughly researched materials in the world. Numerous independent third party organizations and environmental groups have assessed the impact of PVC on the environment.   Here is just a sample of their assessments.

Swiss Institute for Testing Materials
Life Cycle Assessments of window profiles, carried out by Dr. Richter, et al, at the Swiss Institute for Testing Materials  (1992 and 1996), compared PVC-U with timber and aluminium.   The detailed analysis demonstrated that there was no material or profile structure which displayed a clear advantage or clear deficits over their life-cycle.   The authors noted, however that "calls to boycott or prohibit the use of PVC-U for window applications have no objectively based legitimacy"
John Emsley, Science Writer in Residence, Department of Chemistry , Cambridge University
John Emsley, science writer in residence, Department of Chemistry, Cambridge University, concluded in a chapter on PVC in his book, The Consumers Good Chemicals Guide  (1994) : "As far as I am aware, no member of the public has ever been harmed by PVC, and many people owe their lives to it.  It is time we learned to live in peace with a rather wonderful plastic"
Dutch Foundation for Building Research
An Environmental Guideline Report published by the Dutch Foundation for Building Research (April 1996) and officially sponsored by the Dutch Ministry of the Environment (VROM), which lists PVC as an environmentally preferred material for almost all applications in housing construction
The National Centre for Business & Ecology
A study on the environmental health impacts of PVC in packaging and construction materials, carried out by The National Centre for Business & Ecology (June 1997) on behalf of a group of UK retailers, concluded that on balance of probabilities "none of the evidence reviewed provides an overriding scientific reason for the PVC Retailers' Group to immediately abandon the use of PVC in either food packaging or building/insulation materials... (provided that) the retailers group is able to satisfy itself that the PVC it purchases is responsibly manufactured, used and disposed of..."
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization
Reports published by Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (1996 and 1998) which concluded that 'the balance of evidence suggests that there is no alternative material to PVC in its major product applications that has less overall effect on the environment' 
 
Minister of State for Science Energy and Industry in the UK Government
The Minister of State for Science Energy and Industry in the UK Government, John Battle MP, confirmed support for PVC when he stated that, "...concerning PVC and the chlorine based industry in general, Ministers have made clear that independent evidence, such as that from Professor Rappe, the independent scientific advisor to the EU and the World Health Organisation, demonstrated that PVC is a safe material in use and emissions from its manufacture and disposal are controlled by the Environment Agency
 
German council of environment advisors
The German Council of Environmental Advisors (SRU), which reports to the German Federal Government, included a new evaluation of PVC in its latest environment report (1998). The SRU concluded that PVC related "risks" to health and the environment are not significant enough to justify any ban or wide restrictions.  The SRU's chairman noted that "there are no longer reasons to discriminate against PVC".  This is a very different view to that expressed by the SRU in 1991, and reflects the PVC industry's commitment and ability to successfully address environmental issues.