EPA seeks to tighten PVC production guidelines in U.S.

The U.S. regulatory body the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) wants to toughen up standards to reduce emissions of harmful toxic substances produced in the production of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resins and its copolymer products.

The agency has proposed stronger standards requiring facilities that produce PVC, which emit toxic gases associated with respiratory problems and other serious health issues such as cancer, to improve air quality and protect the health of people in the vicinity of the plants. The EPA said that imposing stricter standards on the facilities would cut emissions of toxic airborne substances such as vinyl chloride and dioxin.

In a news release, the EPA said that more stringent rules would allow facilities the flexibility to choose the most practical way of reducing emissions, and that facilities would be responsible for monitoring their emissions at certain points of the PVC production process.

The proposed emissions standards would cover all existing and new PVC production facilities. There are 17 PVC plants throughout the U.S., with a majority in Louisiana and Texas; all existing and new PVC production facilities would be covered by this proposal.

The EPA is currently accepting comments on its proposal, and plans to hold public hearings in Louisiana and Texas.