The Environmental Protection Agency sets it sights on toxic chemical used to make plastic

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on July 24th that it is considering designating vinyl chloride, along with four other chemicals, as ‘high priority’ substances for risk evaluation under the Toxic Substances Control Act. The EPA is providing a 90-day comment period. This decision would lead to a 5-7 year comprehensive risk evaluation.

Vinyl chloride is a known human carcinogen and is most often used to make PVC plastic. It made front-page headlines after it was spilled in the trail derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. Communities are exposed to vinyl chloride through consumer products, like PVC pipes, through contaminated air, water, soil near petrochemical plants, as well as through spills. It is estimated that there are unplanned releases of the substance into the air on average once every 5.3 days. 

It poses harm to public health at every stage within its supply chain. Specifically, it can cause liver cancer, liver damage as well as neurological and behavior symptoms. Both the US federal government and the International Agency for Research on Cancer have classified vinyl chloride as a carcinogen for over 40 years. 

If after the years-long comprehensive risk evaluation, it is found that vinyl chloride presents an ‘unreasonable risk’, the EPA must adopt a risk management rule. This could ultimately lead to a ban, phase-out, or restrictions in its use, its release to air or water, and to the manufacturing of vinyl chloride. 

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