PVC: major source of gender-benders!! New Report

[charlie.cray@green2.greenpeace.org]

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                      April 25, 1996
 
CONTACT:  Charlie Cray, Greenpeace Toxics Campaign
                (312) 563-6060
          Rick Hind, Greenpeace Toxics Campaign
                (202) 319-2505
          Lisa Finaldi, Greenpeace International
                (919) 828-5202
 
GREENPEACE REPORT POINTS TO VINYL PLASTICS AS MAJOR SOURCE OF
HORMONE-DISRUPTING POLLUTANTS
 
WASHINGTON, April 25 (GP) - In a report released in the U.S.
today, Greenpeace documented the link between vinyl plastics
(PVC) and pollutants that disrupt the hormone systems of humans
and wildlife.  The substances are dioxins and phthalates
(plasticizers) which are released into the environment during the
production, use and disposal of PVC plastics. 
 
The Greenpeace report, "Taking Back Our Stolen Future", follows
the recent publication of the shocking new book `Our Stolen
Future,' co-authored by Dr. Theo Colborn.  Colborn compiled
global evidence of how these pollutants disrupt the hormone
systems of both humans and wildlife.  With PVC production at 30
million tons a year, it is the largest use of chlorine and is the
second mostly widely used plastic.
 
*** Dioxins are the accidental by-products of the manufacture and
combustion of PVC.  Last year Greenpeace released data confirming
that industrial wastes from vinyl feedstock production contain
dioxins at concentrations as high as levels in the infamous
herbicide Agent Orange.  Studies have also linked PVC in waste to
dioxin from incinerator emissions.
 
*** Phthalates are softening agents added to PVC to make it
flexible. Phthalates can leach out of PVC products such as
teething rings and blood bags, and have been described as one of
the most abundant pollutants in the environment.  They also
represent an added threat at over 500 Superfund toxic waste
sites. Phthalates can make up 60 percent of flexible vinyl
products.  
 
Both dioxins and phthalates can interfere with the hormone system
by blocking or copying the action of a naturally occurring
hormones.  According to the report these effects are likely at
current background levels in the environment. Such interference
at crucial stages of development can damage the unborn child
irreparably.  
 
The threat posed by PVC is also motivating national and local
communities in Europe to phase out or restrict PVC production and
use respectively.
 
Hormone disrupting chemicals have been linked to falling sperm
counts, genital abnormalities and rising testicular cancer rates.
 
They have long been associated with an epidemic of effects in
wildlife, especially in well-studied ecosystems such as the Great
Lakes.
 
According to scientific studies cited in the report, the extent
of damage caused to developing embryos is related to the timing
of exposure and can be caused by minuscule amounts of some
chemicals such as dioxin.  It is therefore not possible to
calculate a "safe" dose.  A regulatory policy based on risk
assessment will not work.
 
"We now have enough evidence to conclude that the lifecycle of
PVC represents an unnecessary and unacceptable threat to the
integrity of our species," said Rick Hind, Policy Director for
Greenpeace's Toxics Campaign.  "Ideally, a phaseout of PVC
should begin immediately."
  
                          ENDS
 
Notes
 

1)  Copies of the report can be obtained from Greenpeace at (202)
462-1177 or accessed directly via the Internet at
http://www.greenpeace.org/~UK/science/stolen.txt  
 
2)  Dr. Theo Colborn's book "Our Stolen Future" was published by
Dutton in March.  Two related publications include "The Making of
a Conservative Environmentalist," by Gordon Durnil, former
commissioner of the International Joint Commission on the Great
Lakes under President Bush (Indiana University Press) and "Dying
from Dioxin" by Lois Gibbs (South End Press).
 
3)   Other countries have already taken steps against PVC:
*   200 German communities and states operate restrictions on the
use of PVC.
*   The Sydney 2,000 Olympics is committed to environmental
criteria including, "a commitment to minimise the use of PVC".  
*   6 Austrian states and regional capitals, including Vienna
have resolutions to avoid PVC.
*   Similar measures exist in Japan, Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden,
Netherlands and Denmark.
*   The Danish Government is currently considering proposals to
phase out PVC by the year 2000.
*   The Swedish Parliament voted to phase out PVC in November
1995.
 
4) PVC is the second most common plastic. The largest quantity is
used in building materials such as cables, flooring, window
frames, water pipes and wall papers. It is also used in food
packaging, medical supplies and childrens toys.  Viable
alternatives exist for every major use of PVC.

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