InspectAPedia®   -   Search InspectApedia

Photograph of - damaged vinyl siding Vinyl Chloride & (PVC) Polyvinyl Chloride Health Hazards
US EPA / ATSDR information, part 2

PVC & Vinyl Chloride health hazards:

This article (part 2) discusses US EPA-provided information on health effects of exposure to vinyl-chloride (PVC - polyvinyl chloride) and hPVC and gives references to more scholarly information sources.

To improve clarity and provide public information we include here information from several US government sources including the US EPA and the US ATSDR, Department of health and Human Services, Agency for Toxic substances and Disease Registry.

Our page top photo shows vinyl siding damaged by use of a barbecue grill placed too close to the building exterior wall of a home in Port Jervis, NY - a potential fire hazard. (The grill had been removed when we took this picture). Owners noticed a "plastic odor" when they were cooking outdoors!

InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.

- Daniel Friedman, Publisher/Editor/Author - See WHO ARE WE?

Vinyl Chloride & (PVC) Polyvinyl Chloride Health Hazard Information - US EPA

Article Contents

Vinyl & Vinyl Chloride Possible Health Hazard Information Provided Here - Dioxin (potent carcinogen) & HCL

75-01-4

PVC Polyvinyl Chloride Hazard Summary-Created in April 1992; Revised in January 2000

The following information was obtained from the US EPA, to which we have made a few [additions of content from other sources and occasional edits for clarity].

Most vinyl chloride is used to make polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic and vinyl products.  Acute (short-term) exposure to high levels of vinyl chloride in air has resulted in central nervous system effects (CNS), such as dizziness, drowsiness, and headaches in humans.

Chronic (long-term) exposure to vinyl chloride through inhalation and oral exposure in humans has resulted in liver damage.  Cancer is a major concern from exposure to vinyl chloride via inhalation, as vinyl chloride exposure has been shown to increase the risk of a rare form of liver cancer in humans.  EPA has classified vinyl chloride as a Group A, human carcinogen.

Uses [of PolyVinyl Chloride]

Sources and Potential Exposure [of Vinyl Chloride]

How to Assess, Test for or Measure Personal Exposure to Vinyl Chloride (polyvinyl chloride)

Health Hazard Information about Vinyl Chloride Exposure, Acute & Chronic

Also see HEALTH EFFECTS of Exposure to General "Plastic" Odors or "Vinyl" Odors in the Home

Acute Effects [of exposure to vinyl chloride]:

Chronic Effects(Noncancer) [of exposure to vinyl chloride]:

Reproductive/Developmental Effects [of exposure to vinyl chloride]:

Cancer Risk [of exposure to vinyl chloride]:

Physical Properties of vinyl chloride or polyvinyl chloride

Table of Health Data from Inhalation Exposure to Vinyl Chloride

EPA Table on Vinyl Chloride Exposure Hazards

ACGIH TLV--American Conference of Governmental and Industrial Hygienists' threshold limit value expressed as a time-weighted average; the concentration of a substance to which most workers can be exposed without adverse effects.

LC50 (Lethal Concentration50)--A calculated concentration of a chemical in air to which exposure for a specific length of time is expected to cause death in 50% of a defined experimental animal population.

OSHA PEL--Occupational Safety and Health Administration's permissible exposure limit expressed as a time-weighted average: the concentration of a substance to which most workers can be exposed without adverse effect averaged over a normal 8-h workday or a 40-h workweek.

OSHA PEL ceiling value--OSHA's permissible exposure limit ceiling value; the concentration of a substance that should not be exceeded at any time.

Conversion Factors [for table on health data about Inhalation of Vinyl Chloride Gas]
To convert concentrations in air (at 25°C) from ppm to mg/m3: mg/m3 = (ppm) × (molecular weight of the compound)/(24.45).  For vinyl chloride: 1 ppm = 2.6 mg/m3To convert concentrations in air from µg/m3 to mg/m3: mg/m3 = (µg/m3) × (1 mg/1,000 µg).

The health and regulatory values cited in this factsheet were obtained in December 1999.
aHealth numbers are toxicological numbers from animal testing or risk assessment values developed by EPA.
bRegulatory numbers are values that have been incorporated in Government regulations, while advisory numbers are nonregulatory values provided by the Government or other groups as advice.  OSHA numbers are regulatory, whereas ACGIH numbers are advisory.
cThe LOAEL is from the critical study used as the basis for the ATSDR intermediate-duration inhalation MRL.
dThe LOAEL is from the critical study used as the basis for the CalEPA chronic inhalation reference exposure level.

Standards and Guidelines for [Industrial] Exposure to Vinyl Chloride

The following is quoted from the US ATSDR.

Plastic odors and the detection & source-diagnosis of many common odor sources observed some installations of vinyl exterior building siding or in other plastic or vinyl building products such as windows and trim are discussed at VINYL SIDING or WINDOW PLASTIC ODORS.

For a more broad approach to diagnosing building odor sources, see ODORS, Smells, Gases in Buildings-Diagnosis & Cure and see our ODOR DIAGNOSIS CHECKLIST, PROCEDURE

Plastic & Vinyl Odor & Exposure Articles

...




ADVERTISEMENT





Reader Comments, Questions & Answers About The Article Above

Below you will find questions and answers previously posted on this page at its page bottom reader comment box.

Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

On 2018-03-12 - by (mod) -

Terry

See your doctor immediately. Your doc may recommend or refer a physician specializing in environmental medicine.

Or she can also see this doctor directory
Environmental Medicine & Mold Doctors Guide - Find a physician expert in environmental medicine
at https://inspectapedia.com/sickhouse/Mold_Doctors.php

On 2018-03-12 by terry evans

Hi, I think I've been poisoned by vinyl chloride and don't know what to do to get better. I've been working with and sewing vinyl for 8 years in a small area at home with little ventilation and now developing many symptoms of vinyl chloride disease. I just quit my at-home job and want to get better. I have constant headaches, tummy aches, dizziness, drowsiness, and significant weight loss. I got rid of all vinyl in my house. Any help would be appreciated.

Question:

(Nov 17, 2011) Terry Hess said:
Concerned about my multiple high dose exposures to PVC dust and smoke over last ten years ,have had breathing problems and throat phlem for over two years now ,any professional advice/help welcome

Reply:

Start with your own personal physician or perhaps ask for a referral to a doctor who specializes in environmental medicine.

See MOLD DOCTORS - ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE


...

Continue reading at VINYL SIDING or WINDOWS PLASTIC ODORS or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see these

Recommended Articles

ENDOCRINE DISRUPTERS at BUILDINGS

PLASTIC or VINYL ODOR EXPOSURE

Suggested citation for this web page

VINYL CHLORIDE HEALTH HAZARDS US EPA at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.


Or see this

INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to BUILDING ENVIRONMENT

Or use the SEARCH BOX found below to Ask a Question or Search InspectApedia

Ask a Question or Search InspectApedia

Try the search box just below, or if you prefer, post a question or comment in the Comments box below and we will respond promptly.

Search the InspectApedia website

Note: appearance of your Comment below may be delayed: if your comment contains an image, photograph, web link, or text that looks to the software as if it might be a web link, your posting will appear after it has been approved by a moderator. Apologies for the delay.

Only one image can be added per comment but you can post as many comments, and therefore images, as you like.
You will not receive a notification
when a response to your question has been posted.
Please bookmark this page to make it easy for you to check back for our response.
Our Comment Box is provided by Countable Web Productions countable.ca

Comment Form is loading comments...

Citations & References

In addition to any citations in the article above, a full list is available on request.



ADVERTISEMENT