Polyvinyl chloride

Synonyms

101EP; 1032X; Armodour; Aron TS 700; Atactic poly(vinyl chloride); Bakelite; Boltaron; Carina; Chloroethylene homopolymerise [French]; Chloroethylene polymer; Corvic 55/9; Dacovin; Darvic 110; Dynadur; Ekavyl SD 2; Exon 605; Expanded polyvinyl chloride; FC 4648; Flocor; GEON 51; Genotherm; Halvic 223; Hostalit; L 5; Poly(vinyl chloride); Resinite 90; U 1; PVC; [ChemIDplus]

Category

Polymers

Description

Viscous white liquid; [CAMEO]

Sources/Uses

Used in pipes, siding, gutters, door and window frames, raincoats, toys, gaskets, insulation, hoses, shoes, containers, sealant liners, flooring, wire and cable coatings, paper and textile finishes, etc.; [Hawley]

Comments

Occupational asthma reported in workers manufacturing bottle caps; [Malo] Occupational asthma reported in meat wrappers exposed to fume and powder; [Malo].Three cases of meat wrapper's asthma were reported in 1973. Subsequent studies suggest that this condition is questionable or rare. There is no evidence of permanent respiratory impairment of meat wrappers. [Rom, p. 431-2] Firefighters exposed to burning polyvinyl chloride fumes reported more frequent and more severe respiratory symptoms than controls. [Markowitz JS. Self-reported short- and long-term respiratory effects among PVC-exposed firefighters. Arch Environ Health 1989 Jan-Feb;44(1):30-3] Based on case reports and cross-sectional studies, there is some evidence of a polyvinyl chloride pneumoconiosis in workers exposed for years to PVC dust. Findings have included small opacities and impairment of lung function (restriction or reversible airway obstruction). [Rom, p. 533-4]

Reference Link #1

Biomedical References

1 mg/m3

0.3 mg/m3, respirable fraction (multiplicated with the material density)

Reference Link #2

Yes

Yes

Not classifiable

Not Classifiable

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Asthma, occupational
• Pneumoconioses, other

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Plastic Composites Manufacturing
• Pulp and Paper Processing
• Textiles (Printing, Dyeing, or Finishing)

Activities

Activities with risk of exposure:

• Sculpturing plastics