For years, cities and towns have relied on cheap materials to construct the infrastructure that keeps them running. In the pursuit of cheap solutions, governments overlook the potential hazards of one such material: PVC (polyvinyl chloride) plastic.

PVC plastic, polyvinyl chloride, contains vinyl chloride, a hazardous substance that was most recently featured in the news because of the catastrophic train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. 

The EPA calls the toxic chemical vinyl chloride, which is used to make PVC, a known human carcinogen and the center for environmental health says there’s no way to safely manufacture, use or dispose of PVC products.

This material is not only a known carcinogen but causes liver damage and is also an endocrine disruptor among a number of other possible effects posing significant risks to human health. Nonetheless, PVC has continued to gain popularity as an alternative for replacing outdated drinking water pipes, including lead pipes notorious for their own public health risks.

In 2021, the US Environmental Protection Agency allocated $15 billion to replace lead service lines through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. But the alternative solution, PVC pipes, is not a safe one.

Historically, public officials have often prioritized short-term economic gains over long-term social concerns. The issue of PVC water pipes is a case in point, demonstrating the need for grassroots movements to investigate and when necessary challenge government decisions. Advocacy groups have tried to shed light on the dangers of PVC plastic in community drinking water pipes. 

Though PVC has been marketed as an affordable and practical solution for replacing lead pipes, its potential hazards demand closer scrutiny. As we become increasingly aware of the risks it poses, it is crucial for communities to take action, demanding safer alternatives and holding public officials accountable for their choices.

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