The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced it’s reviewing vinyl chloride under the Toxic Control Substance Act (TSCA), which could lead to restrictions or a ban on the widespread, toxic chemical. Vinyl chloride is used primarily to make polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastics. “This is a step in the right direction and we will continue to fight for a total vinyl chloride ban. The report found 19 PVC factories in the U.S. released more than 400,000 pounds of vinyl chloride into the air in 2021. Roughly 373,262 Americans live within three miles of a vinyl chloride or PVC manufacturing facility or PVC waste disposal facility, according to the report, and 63% are people of color.

Source: New York Times December 15, 2023 13:05 UTC