Vinyl Chloride

Context: Recently Vinyl chloride – the chemical in several of the train cars that derailed and burned in East Palestine, Ohio– can wreak havoc on the human liver.

About Vinyl Chloride:

• It is a colourless gas that burns easily.
• It is produced industrially for its commercial uses.
• It can’t occur naturally.
• Used primarily to make polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
• PVC is a hard plastic resin used to make a variety of plastic products, including pipes, wire and cable coatings, and packaging materials.
• It spread through inhaling contaminated air, tobacco smoke, drinking contaminated water, etc.
• Disease burden: rare forms of liver cancer, as well as primary liver cancer brain and lung cancers, lymphoma, and leukemia.

Source:                  The Hindu

Previous Year Questions

Q.1) Bisphenol A (BPA), a cause of concern, is a structural/key component in the manufacture of which of the following kinds of plastics? (2021)

1. Low-density polyethylene
2. Polycarbonate
3. Polyethylene terephthalate
4. Polyvinyl Chloride

Q.2) “Triclosan” considered harmful when exposed to high levels for a long time, is most likely present in which of the following? (2021)

1. Food preservatives
2. Fruit ripening substances
3. reused plastic containers
4. Toiletries