Shipping plastic-making chemicals is a risk not worth taking

Banning the most toxic plastic-making chemicals such as vinyl chloride would get them off the roads and rails and out of our communities.

Mark Reinstein | Shutterstock.com
A freight train carrying fuel in Emporia, Kansas

Vinyl chloride is a chemical found in plastic products, like PVC pipe, plastic packaging and some toys for both children and pets. When millions of pounds of it were spilled from a train in East Palestine, Ohio in 2023, it set off alarm bells across the country.

Health effects of vinyl chloride

Vinyl chloride was identified as carcinogenic way back in 1974. The noxious plume of black smoke from the train derailment was just the latest reminder of the danger it poses. After the accident, many inhabitants of East Palestine reported strange health conditions such as nosebleeds, asthma or even cancer. 

One survey found chemicals in 95% of East Palestine water samples taken over the past year. 

In the wake of the disaster, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is considering designating vinyl chloride as a high priority chemical under the Toxic Substances Control Act. 

The move makes sense. In its liquid state, contact with vinyl chloride can have immediate consequences including painful eye, respiratory and skin reactions. Long term exposure can cause cancer, neurological or behavioral symptoms and permanent changes to the skin and bones of the hand. 

It’s a surprise we use it at all, let alone transport large quantities of these chemicals directly through our communities? 

Chemical spills: coming soon to a location near you

Every year we transport nearly a billion tons of vinyl chloride and other hazardous substances via rail. The problem is, we have no way to guarantee safe transportation. Rail accidents are increasingly common. In 2022, there were 337 reported spills of hazardous substances. 

Today, 3 million people live in close range of trains carrying vinyl chloride between Texas and New Jersey. If we can’t transport it safely, we shouldn’t transport it at all. 

A ban on vinyl chloride could prevent tragedies like East Palestine from repeating over and over again.  

Pollution at every step of the plastic life cycle 

Why do we even use vinyl chloride? Because we produce over a hundred billion pounds of plastic every year.

Already, our communities, health and environment suffer the impacts of millions of tons of plastic waste being disposed of each year. But our plastic problem starts at the very beginning, with toxic, volatile substances being transported hundreds of miles to be processed into plastic. 

Plastic causes problems through its whole life cycle, whether it’s a toxic chemical being shipped through towns and cities or a plastic bag that ensnares unsuspecting sea turtles. That’s why we want to take a first step by banning vinyl chloride and protect ourselves and our environment from this dangerous chemical. 

The EPA is considering regulating vinyl chloride. Send a message before October 23 to help get this dangerous chemical away from our communities.

Topics