(Washington, DC) Microsoft, along with Kaiser Permanente, Crabtree and Evelyn, and others, announced they have joined the fast-growing ranks of major corporations demonstrating concern about the environmental health impacts of their products or packaging by phasing out PVC plastic (polyvinyl chloride or vinyl). Hazardous chemicals are used and released in this commonly used material, the second highest selling plastic in the world.  Studies show links between chemicals created and used during the PVC lifecycle and cancer, reproductive and immune system damage, and asthma...  Read the full press release. (html or pdf)

Supporting Materials:

• National News Release (html or pdf)
• PVC-Free Corporate Policies
• Fact Sheet on PVC Hazards
• Products Recently Identified Packaged in PVC
• In-depth report on the hazards of PVC
• Top Ten States Incinerating PVC waste
• Top Ten States Landfilling PVC Waste

Links to PVC-Free Corporate Policies and/or Statements:

• Microsoft Statement, Letter from Microsoft to Retailers, and Correspondence
• Crabtree & Evelyn Letter
• Kaiser Permanente Fact-Sheet
• Catholic Healthcare West News Release and Fact-Sheet
• Hewlett Packard News Release
• Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott’s Speech
• Firestone Building Products News release and Interview with Healthy Building News
• Shaw Industries Inc.
• Johnson and Johnson correspondence

Links to Recent News Articles:

• NY AG Spitzer Announces Recall of Thousands of Vinyl Lunchboxes Containing Lead
• Wall Street Journal in-depth article on phthalates, PVC, and male reproductive disorders
• LA Times article on Dozens of Chemicals Found in Most Americans’ Bodies
• More news articles

Links to Recent PVC Related Studies:

• New study: 3-month-old boys exposed to higher levels of phthalates through breast milk produced less testosterone than baby boys exposed to lower levels of the chemicals
• New study demonstrates link between phthalates and adverse effects on male reproductive system
• New Harvard study: sick infants in intensive care units exposed to high levels of toxic phthalate DEHP