California Bill Would Phase Out PVC Packaging
The bill, AB 2505 and sponsored by Californians Against Waste, is currently in the Senate Appropriations Committee where it is expected to be opened in August. The purpose of the bill is to phase out the use of toxic, non-recyclable PVC in packaging, to encourage recycling and to prevent human exposure to the toxins present in the PVC at all steps in its manufacture, use and disposal.
It's production involves chlorine gas and vinyl chloride, a carcinogen. In the home PVC packaging can shed and release particles into the air where they are inhaled. Among the toxins are lead and cadmium which can cause brain damage and phalates which mimic human hormones causing abnormal growth. Even when disposed the toxins can leach into the surrounding ground and spread from there into ground water.
Among those supporting passage of this bill are City of Oakland, Greenpeace, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Environment California and Advocates for Environmental Human Rights.
Of course there is opposition to the passage of the bill and the list of opponents is not surprising. Among them are MGM Plastics, Inc., PVC Tech Corp, Chemistry Industry Council of California, American Chemistry Council, California Grocers Association and California Manufacturers and Technology Association.
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