Responsible Operations
Responsible OperationsThe vinyl industry, vinyl chloride, and
health risksOverviewThe Vinyl IndustryWhat products are made of
vinyl?The History of the Vinyl IndustryWhat risks are associated
with vinyl production?Who is at risk? What diseases are associated
with vinyl chloride exposure?Research on Vinyl ChlorideVinyl
Workers in the UKVinyl Workers at B.F. GoodrichHow has the Vinyl
Industry responded?
the vinyl industryManufactures vinyl which is a cost-effective
and durable material used in various products.Provides over 200,000
jobs in the United States of America
What products are made of vinyl?SidingWindow framesFloor &
Wall coveringsFencingBlood and Intravenous bagsCardiac Catheters
Endotracheal tubesPackaging
The History of the Vinyl Industry1920s: Developed by Waldo
Semon1930s: Plants began manufacturing PVC 1940s: The United States
began manufacturing PVC products to help in WWII1950s & 1960s:
Five companies are now manufacturing PVC1970s: Industry discovers
link between high levels of by-product exposure and
angiosarcoma.1980s: Twenty companies are producing VinylCurrently:
Vinyl is the second-largest selling plastic in the world.Vinyl is
the primary material used in the medical and construction
market.
What risks are associated with vinyl production?During the
production process, toxic by-products are produced.Dioxin is one of
these toxic by-products.Exposure to Vinyl Chloride in handling,
transportation, and further manufacturing put the worker at risk
for various diseases.
Who is at risk?
What Diseases are associated with vinyl chloride
exposure?Angiosarcoma of the liverBrain cancerLeukemiaLiver
diseaseRaynaud's syndromeScleroderma
Research on vinyl chlorideIn 1949,Tribukh, a Russian researcher
found in her research that VC causes liver injury.
Vinyl workers in the UKFrom 1940-1974, there were 11
tumor-related deaths of vinyl workers, 7 of them were from
angiosarcoma.
Vinyl workers at B.F. Goodrich
In a B.F. Goodrich plant 4 cases of angiosarcoma were diagnosed
between September 1967 and December 1973.
Vinyl workers at B.F. GoodrichBy December 1973, all four
employees passed away. This incident opened the way for reforms in
health and safety for vinyl factory workers.
How has the vinyl industry responded?The Vinyl Industry began to
implement a closed loop polymerization operation in the 1970s.U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention claims this has almost
eradicated all of the exposure to vinyl chloride.The Vinyl Industry
has been proactive in monitoring health-related issues among
workers in their plants since the 70s.
Referenceshttp://www.azom.com/details.asp?ArticleID=991http://wap.vinylinstitute.com/WhatIsVinyl/HistoryofVinyl.aspxhttp://wap.vinylinstitute.com/UsesofVinyl/Medical_1.aspxhttp://wap.vinylinstitute.com/UsesofVinyl/Packaging.aspxhttp://wap.vinylinstitute.com/UsesofVinyl/Construction_1_2.aspxhttp://www.resource4angiosarcoma.com/topics/lawsuitfaq.htmlhttp://www.omnova.com/products/wallcovering/health_safety.aspx#Why_Vinylhttp://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/moslive/article-1198335/How-Britain-got-groove-back.htmlhttp://www.roomu.net/exterior/advantages-vinyl-fencing.htmlBlue
Vinyl
(documentary)http://www.gfmer.ch/genetic_diseases_v2/gendis_detail_list.php?cat3=950http://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/bf-goodrich-all-terrain-ta-ko-need-advice-37503/http://halloweenhootinnanny.com/scary-halloween-props/4-halloween-prop-cemetery-tombstone-graveyard-headstone/http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/lmrk103.htmTribukh,
S L et al. Working Conditions and Measures for Their Improvement in
Production and Use of Vinylchloride Plastics
(1949)http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3393850
