The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that it would be initiating the federal chemical review process of vinyl chloride, a known human carcinogen used to make polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic. Vinyl chloride is one of five chemicals the EPA is considering acting on, and four of the five are used to make plastics. In addition to vinyl chloride, the EPA is reviewing acetaldehyde, acrylonitrile, benzenamine, and 4,4’-Methylene bis(2-chloroaniline) (MBOCA).

In response to the news, Judith Enck, President, Beyond Plastics and former EPA regional administrator: “This is welcomed, and long overdue, news from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Vinyl chloride was classified as a human carcinogen in 1974. That same year, the federal government wisely banned the use of vinyl chloride in hair sprays, refrigerants, cosmetics, and drugs. Almost 50 years later, the EPA has announced that it has put this highly toxic chemical on a list to be evaluated for future restrictions or an outright ban.

Over 99% of vinyl chloride is used to make polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, plastic, and there are many alternatives to this poison plastic. Vinyl chloride is the chemical that was purposefully set on fire in February 2023 after the Norfolk-Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.

The EPA has the legal authority to ban vinyl chloride under the federal Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976. Vinyl chloride was included in an EPA Toxic Substances Control Act Work Plan in 2014. Almost 10 years later, the full formal evaluation process by EPA has not started.

The companies that make vinyl chloride have known about the health and environmental risks of vinyl chloride for over 50 years. We expect them to vigorously and irresponsibly oppose EPA action. We are counting on EPA administrator Michael Regan to protect people and the planet from this dangerous chemical. The science is solid. This is one of the most important decisions Administrator Regan will make, and it is essential that he stand up to the special interests and protect health by taking steps to ban vinyl chloride. We cannot wait another 50 years for the federal government to act.”

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