Greenpeace Co-Founder Opposes Former Colleagues On PVC

June 26, 2008

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

In an op-ed published in the Santa Cruz Sentinel, Patrick Moore, a co-founder of Greenpeace who is now chairman and chief scientist of Greenspirit Strategies in Vancouver, disagrees with his former Greenpeace colleagues lobbying against polyvinyl chloride and who now support a California bill that would ban the use of the material.

As the health effects of some products containing PVC and other chemicals are publicly debated, Moore writes that PVC is one of the most sustainable, versatile and cost-effective materials available, adding that Californians will be worse off if the bill is passed.

“The best way to deliver affordable, safe drinking water is through a PVC pipe. The best way to insulate electrical wiring is with a PVC coating. In hospitals, floors and wall coverings use PVC widely. PVC is a durable, cost-effective siding for buildings because of its low maintenance and long life. Building with PVC saves on energy and material costs,” Moore writes.

But a widely publicized report from Greenpeace said recently that an analysis carried out in its own labs detected hazardous chemicals including PVC in Wii, Sony’s PlayStation 3 Elite and Microsoft’s Xbox 360.

And, according to a recent study conducted by the Center for Health, Environment & Justice, shower curtains made with PVC contain chemicals that can harm human health, Medical News Today reported. CHEJ has been leading a campaign to rid retailers of products containing PVC.

The studies have not fallen on deaf ears. Sears and Kmart plan to phase out products and packaging containing PVC, and Wal-Mart and Target have made similar pledges. California joined the EU last year in banning phthalates in children’s and infant’s products. A similar ban has been introduced in Congress and in six other states.

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

Advertisers

Stay competitive through sustainability.

Find out how at the SAP Sustainability Resource Center. >>

Unclear about the EPA's new GHG Rule?

Learn how it could affect your business. >>

EPA mandatory emissions reporting starts Jan 1st

CSA Standards can help your organization get ready for compliance. Find out how. >>

Survey Results: Product Environmental Compliance Best Practices

How to achieve compliance at a significantly lower cost. Download the full report. >>

Join the Discussion

Recent Daily News [ see all ]

11/20/2009
11/19/2009
11/18/2009

Charts [ see all ]

European Paper Industry Cuts CO2 Emissions by 42% since 1990

S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks

Nike Tops Annual Climate Action Scores

Oceans May Trap more Carbon than Forests

Jobs

View All Jobs >> Post a Job >>

Comments and Discussions

Trade Association on Trade Group on EPA Chemical Regs: ‘If Everything is a Priority, Then Nothing is a Priority’
"Seriously… that..."

Gary Markowitz on Supermarkets Tackle Emissions Reductions, Fuel Efficiency
"Supermarkets waste over 10 percent of their energy through improper..."

peter in ireland on Ontario May Follow California’s Lead on TV Energy Efficiency
"Governor Schwarzenegger is shooting himself in the foot! 1...."

Environmental Leader on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"The survey respondents (the PDF report mentions 4,000 respondents in 38..."

Jake on UPS Trying New Hydraulic Hybrid Trucks
"A point of clarification: the Reuters press release referenced herein reports that 20 UPS will purchase..."

Custom Organic Shirts on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"90% of North Americans believe it is urgent to get a global climate..."

peter dublin on California City’s Green Building Ordinance Applies to Commercial Buildings
"Why energy efficiebnt regulation on buildings –..."

Environmental Leader