Document 9LONQ94OgedjB0002BOgpmMNR

News [ 4:29:74 : i If PVC's a hazard, ! big changes (ie ahead THE FUTURE of a major plastic --material may hinge on a delicate . understanding of the difference products containing VCM are packaged in PVC bottles was between a monomer and a under its jurisdiction. found to contain a minute polymer Tf that difference is Meanwhile, the United Rubber amount of VCM which had clearly understood by govern Workers is claiming that there leached into the liquor. Can this ment rulemakers and consumers, is no known safe-exposure level be a danger? Again, most say polyvinyl chloride (PVC) will for VCM. This is where the it can't, and in fact it is nearly I stay with us. confusion can begin, and possi impossible to detect the leached If that difference is missed, bly lead to the demise of PVC. VCM with today's analytical PVC will be in serious trouble. It is natural to find small techniques. Early this year, reports began amounts of unreacted monomer But strong pressure from to trickle in that vinyl chloride, in any polymer. So, chemical unions and consumer groups monomer. (VCM) might cause analysis should find small could affect the outcome. -If it _ ists Assn. (MCA; nas announccu amounts of VCM in any sample is decided that PVC itself is a that lab tests show that VCM of PVC. Indeed, this is the case. hazard, changes in many prod- can indeed cause liver cancer in mice at several exposure levels. In the MCA-sponsored tests at Industrial Bio-Test Labo ratories Inc., exposure to as little as 50 ppm produced liver cancer But, it this a potential danger? Most observers say no. However, a small portion of the VCM in PVC can be leached out For example, some liquor ucts could lie ahead. ' 11 1 1.1 S-J The next move appears to be up to the regulatory agencies involved, with OSHA considered the most likely to take action. Q in the mice. How this relates to humans is far from clear. l The results are called pre Du Pont workers areliminary, but MCA immediately notified OSHA, the National In stitute for Occupational Safety & in USWA organizingHealth, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the results. VCM is the basic building THE OfcHTED Steelworkers of America rilSWAl. already the aaustive effort" to ie extent of that inter- i block for PVC and it is only the ___ monomer that has been found to ___ cause cancer. Basically, it is PVC that finds its way to indus May 7, 1974 trial and private consumers. I Thus, the only ones who are ac tually exposed to VCM are those I have been saying this to all who will listen, workers in plants using that ma internally and externally, but have sort of felt like terial to produce PVC. a voice in the wilderness* PVC is found in a wide range of items, from shoesoles to films for packaging everything from Lawrence food to hardware. The Food & Drug Administration is sup posedly looking into the safety of PVC's use in connection with food items. FDA has not been heard from as yet ,, One other place where VCM could be a danger, it's now thought, is its use as an aerosol propellant in some hairsprays and pesticide products. EPA asked for a recall of those prod ccs E. W. Harrington - J. L. Nelson G. D. Schaaf-R.J.Coffey-T.R.Linak-E.R. Clayson P. J. Weaver J* F* Malone - W. S. Lodge ITU rim U I Ifilrnr W. E. Brodine, et al1 R. W. Walker - R. 0. Savage Drs. M. N. Johnson - R. A. Guyton Or. J. L. Creech ucts under its jurisdiction, and - the- Consumer Product Safety BFG29590 Cor Mssion is* trying to detem....e what, *.f any, aerosol 14 ers of independent unions. 7 I figure is 0.3 of a point. April 29, 1974 / Industry Week TO O t^^Z