Believe it or not, EPA may add polyvinyl chloride (PVC) piping to its hazardous waste list!
A court ruled EPA must reconsider a 2014 petition to regulate PVC, vinyl chloride and associated phthalate plasticizers under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.
Rulemaking would end dumping PVC in landfills
Suffice to say, such a move would cause massive headaches for general contractors, plumbers, pipe fitters and construction companies.
For now, damaged and worn-out PVC can be thrown in Dumpsters and placed in solid waste landfills.
The Center for Biological Diversity argues PVC “leaches significant concentrations of toxic chemicals as it deteriorates with age.
“Up to 80% of finished PVC may consist of phthalate plasticizers, which interfere with the production and distribution of hormones in humans and wildlife. Phthalates are not chemically bound to PVC, so they easily slip off the plastic and lead to pervasive contamination.”
EPA has until January 2023 to review the petition and make a call.
