Vinyl Chloride Effects

19 21 vinyl chloride is a group 1 human carcinogen posing elevated risks of rare angiosarcoma brain and lung tumors and malignant haematopoeitic lymphatic tumors.
Vinyl chloride effects. Vc is highly toxic flammable and carcinogenic. Vinyl chloride is used to make polyvinyl chloride pvc. People are more likely to develop these changes if they breathe high levels of. Vinyl chloride vc is an industrial chemical often used in the production of polymer polyvinyl chloride pvc and vinyl products.
A no effect level for vinyl chloride monomer vcm induced carcinogenesis has not been found to date. Vinyl chloride s natural state is a gas with a sweet odor. The effects of eating or drinking vinyl chloride are unknown according to a public health statement from the cdc s agency for toxic substances and disease registry. Vinyl chloride is a highly dangerous chemical used to make numerous plastic materials.
Damage to the liver and nervous system. Vinyl chloride is a mutagen having clastogenic effects which affect lymphocyte chromosomal structure. Production of vinyl chloride in 1993 was nearly 14 billion lbs. Some people who have breathed vinyl chloride for several years have changes in the structure of their livers.
Vinyl chloride is used primarily to make polyvinyl chloride pvc. 1 2 vinyl chloride is reported to be slightly irritating to the eyes and respiratory tract in humans. Although the industries that use this chemical have known about the harmful effects of vinyl chloride for decades it has only recently been identified as a known carcinogen. Acute exposure of humans to high levels of vinyl chloride via inhalation in humans has resulted in effects on the cns such as dizziness drowsiness headaches and giddiness.
From production through disposal vinyl chloride threatens health and contaminates the environment. The effects of ingesting vinyl chloride are unknown. It does not occur naturally and must be produced industrially for its commercial uses. If you spill liquid vinyl chloride on your skin it will numb the skin and produce redness and blisters.
Pulmonary and other possible health effects of pvc dust require further study. The harmful health effects of vinyl chloride have been known for decades though industry has suppressed and misrepresented the health effects from pvc exposures for years. Vc is one of the top twenty petrochemicals petroleum derived chemicals in production. How much vinyl chloride is produced and released to the environment.
Vinyl chloride is a colorless gas that burns easily. Exposure to pvc dust may cause pulmonary dysfunctions. What is vinyl chloride. Vinyl chloride has the potential to cause the following effects from a lifetime exposure at levels above the mcl.
Acute effects of exposure to vinyl chloride.