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Trump signs executive order banning transgender athletes from women's sports, directing DOJ to enforce; Educators voice concern for PA immigrant student protections; WA rent stabilization bills have huge public support; ME benefits from $2.2 billion in federal clean energy investments.

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Nationwide protests erupt against federal policies, Indiana's EV infrastructure expansion stalls due to a funding freeze, and Washington state pushes for rent stabilization to combat rising housing costs.

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During Black History Month, a new book shares how a unique partnership built 5,000 schools for Black students, anti-hunger advocates say ag communities would benefit from an expanded SNAP program, and Americans have $90 billion in unpaid medical bills.

Environmental groups call for vinyl chloride ban

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Tuesday, January 14, 2025   

Environmental groups are calling for a ban on vinyl chloride, one of more than 16,000 toxic chemicals used to manufacture plastic.

The Environmental Protection Agency is currently considering tightening regulations on the chemical.

Judith Inck, president of the advocacy group Beyond Plastics, pointed out there is no safe level of exposure to vinyl chloride, which has been linked to various cancers.

"Chemicals like PFAS, the whole family -- vinyl chloride, heavy metals -- should not be in packaging," Inck contended. "Particularly food and beverage packaging, particularly in baby food packaging."

Inck noted Beyond Plastics is also calling for a ban on chemical recycling facilities, which purport to recycle plastics. New Hampshire is the only state in New England to classify recycling facilities as manufacturing sites, rather than more tightly regulated waste management operations.

A recent survey found 32% of adults, especially women and college graduates, said they are avoiding single-use plastic products, which contain vinyl chloride.

Inck emphasized without state-level and federal laws aimed at eliminating them and incentivizing alternatives, it is up to companies themselves to stop plastic usage. She stressed groups like the U.S. Plastic Pact are working to push corporations in the right direction.

"An organization of many consumer product companies announced in January of 2022 that they will stop using PVC plastic by 2025," Inck acknowledged. "But this is just a voluntary pledge."

Reporting by The New York Times and others has shown how the plastic industry is trying to combat the growing wave of anti-plastic sentiment through social media influencers by proclaiming that certain types of plastics are more environmentally friendly than others.


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