Vinyl
Chloride in the Environment
Vinyl
chloride is a dangerous chemical
that is used in variety of industries.
Despite its usefulness in making polyvinyl
chloride (PVC) and other products,
vinyl chloride can be detrimental
to those who live or work near vinyl
chloride manufacturing facilities.
Prolonged exposure
to vinyl chloride can lead to
the development of liver cancer, angiosarcoma,
and other serious diseases.
Vinyl
Chloride and the Water Supply
Vinyl
chloride is soluble, which means that
it can integrate into the water supply
directly or when other chemicals break
down. Spills and accidental releases
are the most common culprits when
vinyl chloride enters the water supply.
Although it evaporates rapidly, some
vinyl chloride can leak into the groundwater
and eventually end up in drinking
water. The Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) regulates the level of
vinyl chloride in drinking water.
If a water supply contains more than
0.5ppb (parts per billion) of vinyl
chloride, closer monitoring is required.
The EPA has set 2ppb as the upper
limit for vinyl chloride in drinking
water.
Landfills
and Environmental Vinyl Chloride
Vinyl
chloride can also enter the environment
near landfills. Fumes from hazardous
waste sites containing vinyl chloride
may release the dangerous chemical
gas into the air. In addition, vinyl
chloride from landfills can seep into
the groundwater, contaminating wells
and the local water supply.
Vinyl
Chloride in Industry and Workplace
Most
of the vinyl chloride that affects
humans is released by industrial plants
and factories. The majority of people
exposed to vinyl chloride are exposed
at work. People who work in industries
that use vinyl chloride to make PVC
or other products are particularly
at risk of inhaling dangerous vinyl
chloride gas, which is released into
the air. The Occupational Safety and
Health Administration (OSHA)
has attempted to protect workers from
dangerous levels of exposure by limiting
the amount of vinyl chloride allowed
in a workplace environment to 1ppm
(parts per million) per eight hours. |
