[SustainableTompkins] Join the PVC Day of Action Oct. 11th!

Sun Sep 10 04:50:02 PDT 2006

TC Sustainers:
Below is the link to safer alternatives to PVC. I initially missed this link
in reading campaign info. If one wants to use plastics, it looks like
polyethylene (PE) piping exists an a safer alternative to PVC. Whatever the
highter costs of alternatives, it must be cheaper than repairing the damage
from the use of dangerous materials. Thanks all for your input.
Tony

http://www.besafenet.com/pvc/safe.htm

Safe Products

Safe, cost-effective alternatives to PVC are readily available for virtually
every use.  From safe plastics, to bio-based materials, there is a growing
market replacing hazardous PVC products.  You can help build consumer demand
for safer, healthier products by avoiding the purchase of PVC.  One way to
be sure if the packaging of a product is made from PVC is to look for the
number "3" inside or the letter "V" underneath the universal recycling
symbol.  In addition, soft flexible plastic products that are made with PVC
often have a distinct odor, such as vinyl shower curtains.  If you suspect
that a product is made of PVC, contact the product manufacturer and ask them
directly about the materials used in the product or packaging and your
concerns about PVC.

Below you will find a number of well-researched reports on safe alternatives
to some of the most widely used PVC products.

*Reports and Resources on Safe Alternatives to PVC**

   - A Review of the Availability of Plastic Substitutes for Soft PVC in
   Toys <http://pvcinformation.org/links/go.php?linkid=56&catid=2>
   - Alternatives to PVC Building
Materials<http://www.healthybuilding.net/pvc/alternatives.html>
   - Alternatives to PVC in
Hospitals<http://www.noharm.org/details.cfm?type=document&id=591http://www.noharm.org/details.cfm?type=document&id=591>
   - Alternatives to PVC Office
Supplies<http://www.noharm.org/details.cfm?type=document&id=873>
   - Building Green Without Going in the
Red.<http://cectoxic.home.igc.org/pdf/BuildingGreen.pdf>
   - Economics of Phasing Out
PVC<http://www.healthybuilding.net/pvc/Economics_Of_Phasing_Out_PVC.pdf>
   - Greenpeace's Plastic
Pyramid<http://archive.greenpeace.org/toxics/pvcdatabase/bad.html>
   - PVC-Free Pipe for
Purchasers<http://www.healthybuilding.net/pvc/pipes_report.html>
   - PVC Toy Report Card -
2003<http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/news/2003-toy-report-card>
   - Smart Plastics
Guide<http://www.environmentalobservatory.org/library.cfm?refID=77083>
   - Back to the Future: Plastics Made from Plants Instead of Toxic
   Chemicals <http://www.besafenet.com/pvc/bioplastics.htm>

If you are a manufacturer or a supplier of a safe alternative to PVC, please
contact us <http://www.besafenet.com/pvc/contact.htm> and tell us about your
product.
**Most of these materials are Adobe Acrobat PDF files.  If you don't have
Adobe Acrobat or Reader, click the Adobe logo to download this free
software. You need only do this once. *

On 9/9/06, Tony Del Plato <tonydelplato at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> I love this list. Thanks to all who have put in their $2 on the PVC issue.
> I'll collate it all and forward it to the campaign organizer (who still
> hasn't replied to my query) and hope it helps CHEJ campaign as well.
> best,
> Tony
>
>
> On 9/9/06, Joel and Sarah Gagnon <joel.and.sarah.gagnon at lightlink.com>
> wrote:
> >
> > Polybutylene and polyethylene are both better choices for potable water,
> > if
> > you are going to use plastic at all. PVC has replaced fiber-cement (made
> >
> > with asbestos) in municipal supply piping, though, so the leaching
> > concern
> > you raise should be something we all pay attention to. If leaching is
> > prevalent, I have to wonder if there is an environmental concern even in
> >
> > the use of PCV in drain piping. The use of lead in such piping is the
> > source of most of the lead in sewage sludge, so there is plenty of
> > precedent for not thinking about the downstream hazards.
> >
> > Joel
> >
> > At 01:19 AM 9/9/06 -0400, you wrote:
> > >
> > >Ruth Richardson, a Cornell prof, is conducting research on the
> > migration of
> > >chemicals from PVC pipe into drinking water.  I agreed to be in her
> > study
> > >this summer.  We replaced ancient lead pipes in our house back in the
> > >early  80s
> > >with PVC.
> > >
> > >My house was one of two in her study that tested at the EPA limits
> > for  vinyl
> > >chloride in drinking water.  They just took more samples yesterday to
> > >confirm.  I've always let the tap run for a bit in the morning
> > >before  drinking, but
> > >I think now I'll make sure it runs longer to clear the  line when the
> > water
> > >has had time to accumulate any leachate.   Meanwhile, I'll have to look
> > into
> > >what I can use to replace the incoming  pipe.  She said there was an
> > >alternative, but I've forgotten it now.
> > >
> > >I know there is a national campaign to get PVC out of hospitals (and
> > >phthalates as well).
> > >
> > >Gay
> > >
> > >
> > >In a message dated 9/6/2006 12:10:32 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> > >joel.and.sarah.gagnon at lightlink.com writes:
> > >
> > >What do  they propose to substitute for PVC in drain, waste, and vent
> > >piping? Also,  to my knowledge, all electrical wiring uses PVC
> > insulation
> > >and sheathing.  Does an alternative even exist?
> > >
> > >Joel
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
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>
>
>
> --
> "Dissent is the highest form of patriotism."
> Thomas Jefferson
>

-- 
"Dissent is the highest form of patriotism."
Thomas Jefferson