Vinyl Chloride: A Dangerous Substance Used in Manufacturing
Used in the production of many common products, vinyl chloride has been in our environment and surroundings for many years. Only recently was it discovered by government and society how dangerous this substance is to the health of people being exposed to it.
Vinyl chloride is used in industrial areas. When stored at room temperature, this organic compound is a colorless, sweet scented gas. It is highly unbalanced and burns easily at high temperatures.
Not occurring naturally, this substance is manufactured. It can be produced when substances such as trichloroethane, trichloroethylene, and tetrachloroethylene are broken down.
During the manufacturing process, these industries used vinyl chloride:
*Construction / building
*Automotive
*Industrial supplies and supplies for the home
*Equipment used in the medical field
*Rubber, paper, and glass businesses
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is used in the production of plastic products. Some examples of products that contain PVC are packaging materials, cable coating, pipes, and wire coating. Hairsprays and spray paints contained vinyl chloride during the 1950s and 60s as did aerosol spray propellants up until 1974.
Vinyl chloride has also been found in our atmosphere, our environment, and in the air. In 1999, the U.S. Environmental Agency found, in Mossville, Louisiana, vinyl chloride 100 times the amount allowed by law. It is commonly found in the atmosphere where around processing plants, landfills, and harmful waste sites.
The hair industry was in contact with vinyl chloride all day because it is an ingredient in the hairspray bottles. Those working to produce aerosol spray propellants were exposed to higher amounts of it. Also, those working in the production of vinyl chloride will have higher exposure to its vapors.
Studies have shown someone that was regularly exposed to vinyl chloride or polyvinyl chloride is more likely to develop liver, brain or lung cancer. Cancer in the blood has also linked to workers being exposed to vinyl chloride. Having regular exposure to vinyl chloride increases the risk of getting these conditions.
Vinyl chloride is a vascular toxin. It can cause a condition angiosarcoma, a tumor that grows fast. It can also change the structure of a persons liver. When it reaches to the liver, the liver changes it substance. These new substances then pass through the blood and kidneys, leaving through the urine. These substances are more harmful than vinyl chloride. Your body responds a certain way to natural chemicals in the body, the new substances will interject these reactions and respond to the chemicals themselves.
Exposure to vinyl chloride will affect the blood flow in you hands. It can cause bone deterioration called acroosteolysis. It will start with your fingers becoming numb and ulcer, to deformity because of loss of the bone.
The dioxins released while polyvinyl chloride is burning or being produced is a big concern. Not only can a person be exposed through air, but also if vinyl chloride meets eyes or skin, there can be damage. Exposure can be experienced as nerve damage, problems with the immune system and reproductive system. It is unknown of what the lowest levels of vinyl chloride are that can cause damages.
Tags: angiosarcoma, angiosarcoma of the liver, cancer, carcinogens, disease and illness, environmental toxins, health and fitness, industrial polution, symptoms of angiosarcoma, vinyl chloride