Vinyl Chloride

Vinyl Chloride is a colour gas with a slightly sweet odour, that is an organic compound used in the production of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a widely used plastic material. Whilst vinyl chloride is not typically found in natural water sources, its presence in water can be a concern due to its toxicity if leached from plastic pipework used for water services and supplies. Various other forms of introduction to water sources from industrial process including the production, use and disposal of PVC, industrial discharges, accidental spills and leaching from PVC pipes or other plastics materials present with water. Being a known human carcinogen, prolonged exposure to vinyl chloride through inhalation or ingestion can increase the risk of developing certain types of cancer, particularly liver cancer, whilst short term expose to high concentrations of vinyl chloride can cause health effect such as dizziness, headache, and respiratory irritation.