PIRG, Environment America, and Environmental Action submitted 20,302 public comments today to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in support of designating the known-carcinogen vinyl chloride as a ‘high priority’ substance under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). This designation would lead to vinyl chloride being phased out of production, use, and sale.
“We applaud the EPA’s proposal to designate vinyl chloride as a high-priority substance,” said Kelly Leviker, PIRG’s Beyond Plastic Advocate. “The EPA should continue to follow the science and conclude that vinyl chloride is too dangerous for the health and well being of people and the environment.”
Over 10 billion pounds of vinyl chloride are produced on average annually in the U.S., primarily to make PVC plastic. There have been frequent and severe incidents (leaks, spills, explosions, fires) across the United States involving vinyl chloride and given their frequency, on average every 5.3 days, future incidents are an inevitability.
Vinyl chloride is known to be harmful to public health and the environment, and with safer alternatives available on the market, the continued use of vinyl chloride is not only not necessary, but dangerous. Exposure to vinyl chloride can cause an increased risk for liver cancer, brain and lung cancers, lymphoma and leukemia. Vinyl chloride is pervasive in our air, water, and soil.
We hope the EPA will act quickly to phase out toxic vinyl chloride to ensure a safe and healthy future.