Vinyl Chloride: The Poison that Makes the Plastic

A report by Beyond Plastics, Earthjustice, and Toxic-Free Future

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposed designating vinyl chloride as a high-priority chemical under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), because it may present an unreasonable risk to people and the environment.

Vinyl chloride, a known human carcinogen and the main ingredient used to manufacture polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic, has long been known to be associated with severe health and environmental hazards. Advocacy groups have raised concerns over the frequency and severity of vinyl chloride incidents across the United States, urging regulatory bodies to take action.