Blue Vinyl: A Review

Today I showed the movie Blue Vinyl to my Environmental Science class. I have seen this movie quite a few times (evidenced today when I was actually reciting some of the lines in my head) and think it is a great one to show some of the dangers hidden within the plastics industry.
Plastics have come across some harsh criticism recently, and for good cause... in our family, we try to avoid buying/using as much plastic as possible. However, in today's society avoiding plastic still usually means using quite a bit of it.
Blue Vinyl focuses on PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, one of the most "versatile" plastics found on the market. This stuff makes up plumbing parts, shower curtains, children's toys, and home siding, just to name a few. This film focuses around vinyl siding, and how a family who has recently put vinyl siding on their home takes a journey (lead by their grown daughter) to learn about the manufacturing of vinyl, the people harmed along the way, and the quest to find a replacement for this ubiquitous material.
PVC is problematic throughout its entire life cycle. During its manufacture, factory workers can be harmed by exposure to vinyl chloride. Lung and liver cancers are common amongst PVC manufacturers, yet the industry denies any correlation and insists its factories are safe. These factories also spew toxins into the air and the communities surrounding the plant. Air near PVC plants has been found to have concentrations of PVC-related compounds up to 10 times the ambient air levels. Some communities near these factories have been destroyed, as groundwater contamination has made conditions unlivable. Other communities don't realize they are being bombarded with polluted air that is likely to lead to cancer and other illnesses.
During its use, PVC is relatively benign. However, burning PVC can release dioxins, a toxic chemical linked to cancer and reproductive defects. So, in the unlikely event of a house fire, the home covered with vinyl siding is going to turn into a monster that contaminates the neighborhood with poisonous chemicals. At the end of its life, PVC has no good home. If it is taken to a landfill, it will just sit there, not decomposing, as its molecular structure is such that it is not biodegradable. If it is incinerated, it releases toxins, like dioxins, that poison the surrounding community. And, recycling is difficult and not economically profitable. So, once used, PVC just becomes a burden to our communities.
Blue Vinyl is a film that is definitely worth watching. Marketed as a "toxic comedy" it actually is pretty funny, and gets up close and personal with the PVC industry as well as some of the communities harmed by its production.
Pin It Now!