Many building owners and manufacturers have asked me why I don't provide PVC film to my flat roof customers. I think PVC is too risky.
What is PVC?
PVC or polyvinyl chloride is polymerized from vinyl chloride monomer [VCM], a toxic carcinogenic gas. It is a durable, economical material that has many uses. 75% of all PVC consumption in North America is attributed to plastic pipes. PVC is also used as a film covering a flat roof, and the average person looks exactly the same as the TPO film.
What are the risks of PVC?
Studies have shown that dioxins are one of the most effective carcinogens known scientifically, and that vinyl chloride and certain acids are produced and released during PVC production. These chemicals can cause serious health problems such as:
- Cancer
- Nerve injury
- Impaired immune system
- Respiratory problems
- Liver and kidney failure
- Birth defect
- Asthma
These are issues that the public and rooftop contractors have the right to know.
my story
About 12 years ago, PVC was the main material used in our flat roof division in Brady Roofing. After we started installing PVC, I started to have health problems. I have been healthy all my life, so when these problems suddenly appeared, I was puzzled by the safety of PVC film. This led me to do some serious research on this material. I found that manufacturers actually know that PVC films are very toxic, but they hide these facts in our conversations.
My personal health problems include severe breathing problems and nerve damage. Although I no longer install PVC, the neurological problem is actually getting worse. I don't want to solve my health problems too deeply, but just to underestimate, my lower left body experienced a slow muscle contraction due to nerve damage. My left calf is currently 1.25 inches smaller than the right side. Although I have no evidence, I firmly believe that it is caused by toxins in the respiratory PVC membrane. I don't have the genetic predisposition to this neurological problem.
Is this research relevant?
I found a PVC manufacturer on this issue. They just told me that there is no research to support my claim. In fact, a lot of research has been done on the toxicity of PVC. Manufacturers can claim that they are irrelevant because these studies are conducted on the production of PVC rather than the risk of installation. However, when you install PVC, use hot air up to 1300 degrees Fahrenheit to melt the film and seal it. When the membrane melts, it will feel that you are breathing ammonia. Air can burn your sinuses and show the presence of harmful chemicals, just as they are in production. The manufacturer does not provide this information to contractors and consumers.
Their argument is that the roof is installed in the open air, so there is enough ventilation to keep the installers safe. However, when you weld, your face is 18 inches from the smoke. There are also retaining walls in most flat roofs to prevent the wind from blowing out and removing smoke. For a large part of the time, smoke will enter your sinuses.
what can we do?
All my research has led me to believe that PVC is not a safe material. This is why we refuse to install PVC film. Although the PVC film changes in order to keep them away from the PVC-related hazards, careful inspection will reveal that vinyl chloride monomer and dioxins are still present in these alternatives. Although I don't have any strict relationship between PVC health risks and customers, I have already brought risks to installers and I refuse to take any risks of customer health.
We chose a new roof alternative called TPO. TPO looks the same as PVC, but it does not pose any risk to installers or customers. I believe it is actually a better film because it is not as fragile as a PVC sheet, just like a PVC sheet. TPO is flexible and energy efficient, while being non-toxic. TPO is a younger product that has been around since 1991. However, it shows that it will last longer than the PVC film.
Orignal From: Health risks of PVC roofing membranes
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