Document wD2reLR45K7OMogevKYOKmeXo

^dward Howard oCo. Public ttclaikm* Counsel an affiliate of Hill and Knotvlton. Inc. 1021 Euclid Avenue Cleveland, Ohio 44115 216-781.2400 FAX: 781-8810 to: All Vinyl Institute Members from: Nora Jacobs subject: New Technical Paper ^Available MAR 1Z 1990 JCL date: copies to: March 7, 1990 Roy Gottesman Pat Benkner The Vinyl Institute Technical and Communications Committees have just completed work on the attached technical paper, "Effects of Vinyl Products on Indoor Air Quality." This paper was developed to respond to specific, individual concerns that Institute members have encountered on the subject of PVC and indoor air pollution. In order not to create an issue where none currently exists, no broad scale promotion of the paper is planned. Institute members, however, can receive additional copies of the paper by contacting Ms. Pat Benkner at the VI office: (201) 890-9299. BOR 000428 Effects of Vinyl Products on Indoor Air Quality PVC (polyvinyl chloride, or vinyl) has been produced commercially for over 50 years. Today, with nearly 32 billion pounds manufactured annually, it is the world's second-largest selling plastic material. Vinyl is used in countless applications ranging from automotive compo nents to medical devices. A large proportion of the vinyl produced annually is used to fabricate articles commonly found in today's home: wallcoverings, resilient flooring, plumbing pipe, electrical conduit, wire and cable sheathing and insulation, house siding, window frames, upholstery fabric, toys, and packaging for food, toiletries, pharmaceuti cal products and household goods. Along with many other construction and furnishing products, vinyl products used in the home or office have been alledged to contribute to the decline in indoor air quality. These concerns center on the potential volatiliza tion of certain components of the vinyl composition such as vinyl chloride monomer and, in the case of flexible vinyl products, phthalate plasticizers. However, a review of current manufacturing practices, combined with an analysis of actual use conditions, reveals that rigid and flexible vinyl products are unlikely to contribute to the indoor air problem. Why Indoor Air Quality is an Issue As homes and offices become more energy-efficient and resistant to heat and air conditioning loss, fresh air circula tion decreases. This causes stagnant air, which can contain contaminants from aerosol sprays, dust, plant pollen, animal dander, paints, cleaners, etc. The resulting phenomenon is known as "indoor air pollution" In severe situations, scientists consider indoor air pollution to be a health threat The Chemical Composition of Vinyl End Products The compounds used to produce vinyl end-products typically are composed of inert, nonvolatile polyvinyl chlo ride resin and various ingredients such as pigments. processing aids and additives used to improve various physical properties such as impact resistance or weatherability. Minute quantities of vinyl chloride monomer (VCM), a residue of the vinyl resin manufacturing process, may also be present In some cases, DOP plasticizer (di-2ethylhexyl phthalate) may be part of the composition as well. Although these components normally remain encap sulated within the polymer matrix, certain materials can migrate to the surface of the vinyl product and be released into the atmosphere. Recent studies have focused on the potential health risk associated with the possible migration and volitalization of residual vinyl chloride monomer and DOP plasticizer. Manufacturing Standards Reduce Health Risks As a result of workplace practices designed specifically to reduce residual VCM to very low levels, the amount of VCM remaining in vinyl resin CTesidual vinyl chloride monomer," or RVCM) is extremely low. Resin produced today typically contains less than 2 parts per million (ppm) RVCM. RVCM levels are even lower in products fabri cated from the resin, thus presenting little health risk to the user of vinyl end-products. Additional Requirements Assure Product Safety Vinyl applications designed to contain or convey products destined for human consumption (food, beverages, drug products, drinking water, etc.) are strictly monitored by federal regulatory agencies and agencies sanctioned by the U.S. government The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) currently sanctions that all rigid and semi-rigid vinyl food contact applications contain only 10 parts per billion (ppb) residual vinyl chloride monomer. The National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) requires that vinyl pipe used to transport drinking water contain no more than 2 parts per million RVCM. Pipe manufacturers typically require resin that meets this 2 ppm limit, even though heat used to transform the resin into pipe dissipates some of the RVCM. -over- BOR 000429 The Vinyl institute, A Division of The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. Wayne Interchange Plaza II, 155 Route 46 West, Wayne. New Jersey 07470, (201) 890-9299