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Vinyl
is primarily made of a synthetic resin, polyvinyl chloride (PVC),
combined with plasticizing compounds to make it more pliable.
Softer vinyl has more plasticizers.
 PVC
releases vinyl chloride, which is known to cause cancer, birth
defects, endocrine disruption, respiratory problems and other
health problems.
Some
of the plasticizers are known to be irritants and some to be carcinogenic.
It can take years for some of the plasticizers to completely offgas.
Vinyl is not biodegradable. Many companies are finding uses for recycled vinyl. Although it remains a controversial product for recycling, what shall we do with of all that vinyl currently in the world? If you feel safe using vinyl, consider recycled vinyl
rather than virgin vinyl. Purchasing recycled vinyl eliminates
the demand for new manufacturing which produces many highly toxic
byproducts including PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), known to
be an endocrine disruptor and found to have somehow migrated to
some of the most remote places on earth.
Construction
materials account for 70% of all PVC. Some of the products include
adhesives, piping, shower curtains, upholstery, wall covering,
garden hoses, windows, doors, gutters and artificial grass. GreenSage
does not recommend these PVC based products. One reason vinyl
has become so common is its low price. However, there are many
cost-effective alternatives and many homeowners, companies and
architects have successfully chosen to use these alternatives.
Amazingly,
other types of products containing PVC, which may be too close
for comfort, include crib bumpers, toys of all kinds, pacifiers
and teethers, playpen covers, baby pants, food packaging containers
of all sorts including toiletries, candies, cookies and cosmetics.
The list goes on to include credit cards, handbags, recording
tape, paper finishes, shoes, raincoats, boots, umbrellas, and
much more.
If you are a consumer of vinyl products, we recommend that you weigh your purchases carefully for their risks.
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