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

Mon Sep 11 08:54:27 PDT 2006

Thanks, Tony. I read the alternatives to PVC pipe report and found it to be 
an excellent review of the current situation.

Joel

At 07:50 AM 9/10/06 -0400, you wrote:
>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
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