You know, after years of working in the vinyl business you would think I would’ve asked myself “Hey, what is vinyl made of anyway?” Surprisingly enough, neither I nor Vinylbot 3000 (nor, for that matter, have our Vinyl Minions) have ever had the thought cross our minds. Conspiracy? Probably not, but it could be the fumes from the adhesives.
According to The Vinyl Institute vinyl has a “Complex Chemistry Based on Common Salt”. But what is this “chemistry: of which they speak and just what is so “common” about salt? Allow me to quote the following from The Vinyl Institute’s expertly written and incredibly engaging section entitled “How Is Vinyl Made?”:
Like all plastic materials, vinyl results from a series of processing steps that convert hydrocarbon-based raw materials (petroleum, natural gas or coal) into unique synthetic products called polymers. The vinyl polymer is unusual, however, because it is based only in part on hydrocarbon feedstocks: ethylene obtained by processing, or cracking, natural gas or petroleum. The other half of the vinyl polymer is based on the natural element chlorine.
Chlorine gives vinyl two advantages. First, chlorine is derived from brine -- a solution of common salt and water, and a readily available, inexpensive commodity. Thus, vinyl is less sensitive to fluctuations in the world oil market than are totally oil dependent polymers.
Second, chlorine has excellent inherent flame retardant properties. These properties are passed on directly to vinyl end-products, making vinyl an excellent choice for applications such as electrical conduit and wiring that require high resistance to ignition and flame spread.
Wow! Although I never imagined that vinyl had anything to do with “feedstocks” I’m ecstatic to learn that ever dash kit and decal we make is a little part of the sea! It’s like every Ford Probe dash kit is Flipper’s second-cousin. Still, all of these chemicals make me wonder: “Should I be putting this stuff in my mouth?” Luckily, The Vinyl Institute anticipated my concerns and have provided us with a handy little page on their site called “Vinyl and Health”. And I quote:
Worker health hazards resulting from prolonged, high exposure to vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) came under scrutiny by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the EPA in the late 1970s. Through new manufacturing technology, industry was able to address those problems.
Great! So I guess that’s already been taken care of. As long as I know the EPA’s on the job I’ll just keep chewing wads of vinyl in between dash kits. Speaking of dash kits, did you know that, according to The Vinyl Institute, vinyl has infinite uses!!! Yeah, apparently “infinite” is a technical term which means really means “six broadly defined categories” (in layman’s terms). Yet, of these infinitely interesting applications perhaps the most infinitely-to-infinity interesting category is that which goes by the name of “Vinyl In Action”. Is your interest piqued yet?
Vinyl In Action Equals:
Cool Roofs Save Energy
Electrical Fires Declining Thanks to Fire-Resistant Materials Like Vinyl
Patients Today Need More Than An Apple a Day to Keep Healthcare Costs Down
Consider Vinyl Christmas Tree and Greenery for Safe Holiday Season
Leisure Time Increased, House Maintenance Chores Reduced with Vinyl
You see, it was worth it after all. Why don’t we combine some of the actions of vinyl and see what happens: We can use vinyl to stop electrical fires from burning down our vinyl Christmas trees thereby preventing our already cool vinyl rooves from heating up and, in the end, increase our leisure time! Amazing! Still not sure how a vinyl apple a day keeps health care costs down though...
But, how is this vinyl the thin, self-adhesive film which applies like a decal? It seems like we’re missing something? Well, according to The Vinyl Institute, we completely forgot to add plasticizers and stabilizers! Everyone knows you can’t bake a cake without plasticizers! Plagiarism:
Many polymers, including vinyl, require additives during the manufacturing process. Individual additives include heat and light stabilizers, colorants, impact modifiers, processing aids and plasticizers.
Additives typically constitute a small part of the overall vinyl formulation and their use is closely regulated by a number of agencies including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF). All additives used in food and drug applications must have specific regulatory clearance from the FDA.
Plasticizers
Plasticizers are used as softening agents and provide low temperature flexibility and weldability. Phthalate ester plasticizers have been safely used for more than 50 years and are some of the most studied compounds in the United States from a health and environmental viewpoint. These plasticizers are used in wire and cable products, medical devices, toys, flooring, shower curtains and synthetic leathers such as automotive upholstery, as well as in pharmaceuticals and personal care products such as cosmetics and lotions. Their versatility and excellent performance prolongs products' service life, gives them resistance, and helps reduce spoilage and waste.
Independent scientists, international government bodies and phthalate producers have conducted extensive studies on the safety, health and environmental effects of phthalates. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse health effects in children or adults from phthalate exposure. A blue-ribbon panel of leading physicians and scientists chaired by former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. C. Everett Koop concluded in 1999 that vinyl toys and medical devices made with phthalate plasticizers are not harmful to children or adults.
Stabilizers
The principal metals from which stabilizers are made include tin, barium, zinc, calcium and, decreasingly, lead and cadmium. Most stabilizers are used in rigid vinyl applications such as construction products thanks to their processability and durability. Lead-based stabilizers are used principally in vinyl wire and cable insulation.
Because the additives are firmly bound within a rigid vinyl matrix, there is no mechanism by which these additives can escape into the environment at levels that pose a health risk to humans. Lead and cadmium stabilizers are not used in food packaging or toys. In fact, strict regulations on the use of lead in toys exist both within the international toy industry and under U.S. federal law. Building wire, usually used inside walls and away from regular human contact, must meet strict insulation standards.
New studies affirm that disposal of metal-stabilized vinyl waste in landfills poses no appreciable risk to human health or the environment. In fact, vinyl sheet is used as landfill liner to help prevent leachate from contaminating groundwater, specifically because vinyl is so resistant to the aggressive conditions typically found there.
In short, the demonstrated performance and scientific facts about stabilizers confirm that they are the right choice for most rigid vinyl processing. Extensive testing and review have shown that there is no risk to processors, consumers or the environment when these stabilizers are used as intended.
* Vinyl plasticizers are well-researched; found to be safe.
* Heavy metal stabilizers are used selectively and do not represent a health or exposure risk.
* Additives do not hamper the recyclability of vinyl.
Please let me know if anyone actually read all of this. If you did, and you can say phthalate esther five times fast, I’ll give you %15 percent off of your next purchase.
-The Rvinyl Team!
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