PVC Decking – Health Risks 

One of the expensive decking options available today, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) decks are distinctly different from their wooden counterparts and are completely made of plastic. PVC decking is marketed as a safe-for-use construction material, but healthcare professionals are well aware that it is arguably the most environment-damaging plastic in use today. The material can release harmful chlorine-based chemical toxins right from its stage of production until its disposal. These toxins, in the long run, can disrupt the food chain and pollute the water as well as air around us to a great extent.

The innumerable dangers that PVC decking can cause to you and your surroundings are discussed in the following sections.

Public health risks of using PVC decking

PVC decking is being sold and purchased throughout the world because majority of the public is unaware of its harmful effects. Firstly PVC is not a sustainable, “green” building material. Its prolonged exposure is likely to cause drastic health and environmental complications that may be irreversible, such as toxic chemical exposure and fire hazards. In fact, the harmful toxins found in PVC are found to cause and aggravate life-threatening diseases like skin cancer, immune system diseases, and hormone disruption.

Chlorine – In the United States alone, production of PVC consumes almost 40 percent of the total chlorine use. Chlorine is one of the deadliest toxins to affect living beings. Evidence suggests that the toxic chemical can be directly linked to fertility and development problems in humans and animals. Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC), a compound of chlorine, has already thinned the ozone layer and let in the ultraviolet radiations.

Combustion – Fire accidents can become even more harmful because of PVC decking and pipes, because the material can release corrosive fumes on combustion. Hydrochloride gas, one of the byproducts of PVC combustion, is extremely lethal when inhaled.

If the unrestricted use of PVC continues, it will lead to irreparable health problems, which will become widespread in a few decades.

Disposing and recycling  PVC

As of today, there is no efficient method for the safe disposal of PVC. Reports published by the Environmental Protection Agency suggest that in the United States, only 0.5 percent of post-consumer PVC is reused. The remaining – about 99.5 percent – is usually dumped in landfills or burned away. This can cause its vinyl chloride compound to leech into the underground water table and render it undrinkable. It can even reduce the oxygen availability in the atmosphere by releasing carbon and chlorine pollutants.

While most types of plastics cannot be recycled, they can be reused to an extent. PVC, however, is the least recyclable plastic material available. Harmful chemicals including adipates and phthalates are used as an additive in PVC production to make it more malleable. Due to this, its recycling is highly expensive and impractical.

To steer clear of all the above risks and stay healthy, it is advisable to avoid the use of PVC decking and other disposable materials for your home. Remember to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle to leave the world a better place for the future generations.

Reference

NYS_vinyl_affidavit  js

Contact Us Today!