Re: Parents Against PVC Toys

["Jon Campbell" <jon@cqs.com>]

   Hi, Elizabeth,
  
         I know of only one, and have heard of very
  few, companies that recycle vinyl. The problem
  is that it does not recycle well, and it is very toxic
  to remold it (if you can do it at all).
  
         The company that recycles it here in Mass is
  Browning-Ferris Industries, hardly a model of
  corporate behavior with regard to pollution.
  I believe it is comined with other plastics to make
  plastic construction bricks. I have not checked their
  process, and don't even know where they process it.
  
        Eventually I'll get a round tuit. (or someone will send
  me one). (:-)
  
        I have been collecting mine in my basement until
  I am certain that it is "recycled" safely without creating
  more dioxin. I think we need to tell the mommies that getting
  the PVC away from the children is the first priority, and
  to store it (at low temperatures) until we figure out what to
  do with it...
  
  Regards
  Jon Campbell
  
  Regards
  Jon
  
  
  -----Original Message-----
  From: Protect All Children's Environment <pace@mcdowell.main.nc.us>
  To: jon@cqs.com <jon@cqs.com>
  Date: Thursday, November 13, 1997 1:10 PM
  Subject: Re: Parents Against PVC Toys
  
  
  
  >Dear Jon,
  >              How does one recycle this reasonably?  Can PVC be reasonably
  >recycled?  Do we tell the mommies what toys are PVC?  Is Barbie really
  >toxic?
  >
  >Elizabeth O'Nan
  >
  >----------
  >> From: Jon Campbell <jon@cqs.com>
  >> To: Multiple recipients of list <dioxin-l@essential.org>
  >> Subject: Re: Parents Against PVC Toys
  >> Date: Thursday, November 13, 1997 2:06 AM
  >>
  >>  Hello,
  >>
  >> An even more serious issue is the leaching of Vinyl Chloride
  >> monomer (VC) from PVC, especially when new. The characteristic
  >> "plastic" aroma of PVC when new (e.g., new cars, plastic
  >> window shades, shower curtains, etc.) is VC monomer. (It is
  >> not, as previously suggested, due to plasticizers. They are
  >> pretty vile, but do not have the characteristic odor of VC).
  >>
  >> I don't think anybody (in govt or otherwise)
  >> has addressed this issue before, except for
  >> an apparent ban or withdrawal
  >> (with little fanfare) of PVC
  >> bottles for beverages.
  >>
  >> When confirmed with hard data, this is a powerful argument
  >> for banning of all uses of PVC for children's toys, and
  >> perhaps for other uses as well, since VC is classed as
  >> a proven human carcinogen.
  >>
  >> In my opinion, anyone with small children should
  >> remove ALL PVC toys from the household (and
  >> recycle wisely to avoid incineration).
  >>
  >> Regards
  >> Jon
  >>
  >> PS Alex, you are correct about TCE being the main
  >> source of VC monomer in landfills, though according
  >> to the book Toxics A to Z natural
  >>  outgassing of PVC is a significant source of VC.
  >>
  >> -----Original Message-----
  >> From: Kaltofen@aol.com <Kaltofen@aol.com>
  >> To: Multiple recipients of list <dioxin-l@essential.org>
  >> Date: Wednesday, November 12, 1997 2:08 PM
  >> Subject: Re: Parents Against PVC Toys
  >>
  >>
  >>
  >> >Are the use and loss of lead and cadmium unique to PVC products?  How
  >about
  >> >the same question for phthalate plasticizers?  As a father of a two year
  >> old
  >> >I am extremely interested in an answer to this question.
  >> >
  >> >
  >