Vinyl
Chloride Health Effects
Vinyl
chloride is a toxic chemical;
those exposed to it are at risk for
serious health effects. Aside from
being a known carcinogen, vinyl chloride
has been found to cause a number of
other conditions, including Raynaud's
syndrome, angiosarcoma, and acroosteolysis.
Following is a list of the major potential
health effects of vinyl chloride exposure.
- Acroosteolysis - a condition
in which the bones (especially in
the fingers) deteriorate.
- Angiosarcoma of the liver - a rare form of liver cancer that begins with
the formation of a cancerous tumor in the blood vessels of the liver. Connections between
angiosarcoma of the liver and vinyl chloride exposure are relatively easy to identify.
Angiosarcoma of the liver is also referred to as hemangiosarcoma, hemangioendothelioma, and endothelioma.
Brain cancer - a serious
disease in which tumors form within
the brain. Vinyl chloride exposure
is the only established cause of
brain tumors.
Leukemia is a form of
cancer that affects the blood and
blood-forming organs.
Liver disease - a serious
condition that includes liver tissue
damage. Advanced cases may require
transplant or result in death.
Raynaud's syndrome (Raynaud's
phenomenon or Raynaud's disease)
- a condition in which blood flow
to the fingers and toes is compromised.
The reduced circulation can cause
pain, numbness, and impaired function,
especially in cold temperatures.
Scleroderma - a condition
in which the skin hardens and thickens.
It most frequently occurs on the
hands.
In
addition, the nervous and reproductive
systems can be harmed as a result
of exposure
to vinyl chloride. In general,
those exposed to high levels of vinyl
chloride or those exposed over a long
period of time are at the highest
risk for these and other health effects. |
