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23.Polyvinyl Chloride. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a common low cost, light-
weight but strong plas c commonly used in the produc on of water and
sewerage pipes, insula on for electrical cables, gu ers, door and window
frames, roof membranes and moulding. It is also used in flooring, wall cover-
ing and ceiling material as vinyl les which are inexpensive and common in
many interiors such as offices, homes, hospitals, hotels and schools among
others.
PVCs contain phthalates and dioxins which interfere with the produc on and
normal ac vity of human hormones therefore affec ng the func ons of thy-
roid, pancreas, adrenal, pituitary and reproduc ve glands.
They are also classified as carcinogens and can lead to cancer, liver dysfunc-
on, vision failure, birth defects, chronic bronchi s, asthma and gene c mu-
ta ons.
The produc on of PVC and its disposal also exposes humans and the environ-
ment to toxic substances.
24.Lead is a heavy metal commonly found in roofing materials, paints,
plumbing pipes. It is highly poisonous and is rapidly absorbed into the blood
stream and simulates calcium enabling it to cross the blood-brain barrier.
It slowly accumulates in bones and so ssues eventually destroying the
nervous system. Close contact with lead also causes blood disorders, brain
disorders, blindness, reproduc ve health complica ons, damage to the kid-
neys and eventually death.
25.Wood treatments. Various treatments are applied to wood to preserve it
and increase its life span. Most of the chemicals used in wood treatment are
water soluble. Creosotes are applied to wood as preserva ves to prevent rot
and come in a variety of types depending on the material used to produce
them such as wood tar creosote, coal tar creosote, oil tar creosote, and wa-
ter gas tar creosote. The coal-tar creosote is the most commonly used yet
the most toxic since it directly causes cancer.
Exposure to large amounts of Pentachlorophenol, another wood preserva-
ve, can lead to harmful effects on kidneys, nervous system, liver, immune
system and can also cause cancer.
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