Health Concern - Fact or Fiction?

Issue Date: June 30, 2007, Posted On: 8/9/2007

By Marc Henderson

To truly understand the amazing properties of vinyl, return once more to high school chemistry. Vinyl is comprised of two carbon atoms double bonded to every three hydrogen atoms. This is classified as a vinyl group, which is very closely related to ethylene, although ethylene has one additional hydrogen atom. Of course, this is not at all the manner in which the general public recognizes vinyl; rather, vinyl is most closely associated with flooring. However, its usage spans many industries given its resistance to environmental factors such as rust and corrosion. For example, blood donation bags are made of vinyl, along with a multitude of food packaging. The most significant implication of vinyl in everyday life is most likely its use in plumbing pipes, which are responsible for keeping our water contaminate free as it passes below the earth and into our homes. Further, due to its ability to withstand the elements, it is used for siding, window trim, decking, fencing, and other mundane functions.

So, one must be wondering where in world this amazing substance originates. On the most basic level, vinyl is a combination of fossil fuel and salt. Now the mere mention of fuel tends to rile the public as prices at the pump continue to soar. However, due to the efficient manufacturing process of vinyl, very little waste is produced along the way. So breath easy, this is not an example of a product where it takes a bunch to produce a little. Rather, nearly all of the raw materials originally used end up in the final product.

Conversely, the general reputation of vinyl and vinyl production has endured some bumps in the road along the way. Prior to the 1970s, when the vinyl manufacturing process was only loosely regulated, workers were turning up with rare and unanticipated health problems. The most prominent illness surfacing was a rare form of liver cancer being found in the employees working directly with the production materials. As a result, the manufacturing process is now highly regulated by local, state, and federal government. In fact, the process is now nearly all computer controlled, which greatly reduces the occurrences in which individuals experience direct exposure. Regulations stipulated by the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration are combined with a voluntary commitment to the Responsible Care Program. As a result of the proactive changes taken, no worker who began employment after the regulations were enacted has surfaced with any abnormal health deficiencies.

A second common concern surrounding the use of manmade materials in interior spaces is the effect it will have on indoor air quality. As health problems seem to be expanding rapidly amongst the general population, there seems to be a need to point fingers and place blame on various industries and products. As to be expected, vinyl has once again found itself under scrutiny. Most of these concerns surround the possibility of the vinyl emitting VOCs after installation. This exposure can be greatly reduced by following the installation instructions of the manufacturer, as well as by providing ample ventilation. Any gasses that are emitted will, by the properties of chemistry, disperse quite rapidly thus explaining why proper ventilation is so important. By no means should human health be taken lightly, for at the end of the day, it is all that truly matters.

On another note, which rarely receives any positive attention, is the health benefits of vinyl flooring. Vinyl is deemed impermeable to moisture, which as a result, significantly reduces the possibility for microbial growth under the surface. For this reason, vinyl is a prominent surface choice in the healthcare industry.

Now that one's health conscience is clear, various vinyl options can be explored. Due to vinyl’s versatility, it is likely that there is a style to suit each and everyone’s needs or desires. To this we owe recognition to Dr. Waldo Semon, who in 1926 while working in the laboratory for the BFGoodrich Company, accidentally created vinyl while attempting to create an adhesive for rubber and metal. Vinyl did not become a usable good until the 1930s when it was utilized as a sealant. Vinyl then went on in the 1940s to become the premier material for wire insulation. It is equally important to note that vinyl is a recyclable material, so if you are replacing your old vinyl with new vinyl, take a moment to search out a proper recycling facility in your area. Any and all efforts than can be made to reduce the volume of good being transported to landfills should be taken. As the population continues to increase, in relative terms, the planet is getting smaller by the day. The obvious conclusion is that waste is growing at an exponential rate; meanwhile, square footage in which to place that waste shrinks exponentially as well.