Myra--
PVC and PVA are different resins. The problem with polyvinyl
chloride is the chlorine. It makes the plastic brittle, which is why
you need plasticizers like phthalates to make it flexible.
This is not the only problem with PVC. Because it's made out of
chlorine dioxin is formed during the feedstock production process and
when it is burned -- either accidentally or deliberately. Also, it
requires lots of other additives and contaminates the recycling of
other plastics (e.g. PET and HDPE). For all of these reasons we are
asking companies to pledge to not use PVC in their products or
facilities. I can send you information about all of this if you
give me a mailing address.
From: Myra Nissen <myracycl@inreach.com>
To: Bill Sheehan <bill_sheehan@mindspring.com>
Cc: GreenYes <greenyes@ucsd.edu>
Date: Tuesday, November 17, 1998 11:59 AM
Subject: Re: Store yanks direct-to-mouth PVC toy
Does any one know if this polyvinyl toxic stuff extends to the polyvinyl
alcohol that is used in contraceptives?
Thank you.
Myra Nissen
The Sutta Co.
Oakland, CA
myracycl@inreach.com
510-873-8777
http://www.sutta.com
Bill Sheehan wrote:
>
> Store yanks direct-to-mouth PVC toy
>
> Toys 'R' Us, a worldwide seller of toys, said Friday it would have all
> direct-to-mouth toys that contain phthalates removed from its store shelves
by
> Wednesday. The decision came just one day after the National Environmental
> Trust, a nonprofit environmental organization, released test results showing
> that 33 common soft plastic children's toys -- seven of which could be
> purchased at Toys 'R' Us -- contained high levels of the chemical.
>
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> ENN NEWSWIRE
> E-mail Edition for Monday, November 16, 1998
> Produced by the Environmental News Network
Charlie Cray
Greenpeace US Toxics Campaign
417 S. Dearborn Suite 420
Chicago, IL 60605
Ph: (312) 554-1027
Fx: (312) 554-1224
e-mail address: Charlie.Cray@dialb.greenpeace.org
Greenpeace International's new Toxics Web site:
http://www.greenpeace.org/~toxics
Greenpeace US Toxics NEW! (11/98) Web Site:
http://www.greenpeaceusa.org/toxics/