PVC is a plastic polymer common in hospitals and healthcare due to its many medical and non-medical uses. PVC is a concern to public health throughout the lifecycle. Of primary concern, are dioxin and phthalate emissions. Dioxins are formed during the manufacture, disposal, incineration, and burning of PVC. DEHP is a phthalate used to plasticize or soften PVC products, which can leach from PVC medical devices. Both toxins are harmful to public health but can be especially harmful to the most vulnerable of patients such as infants, pregnant women or lactating mothers.

Some hospitals have already implemented PVC and/or DEHP-free purchasing policies by purchasing safe alternatives to plastic such as those manufactured with polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethane, silicone or ethylene vinyl acetate content or multi-layer laminate plastics.  Click on the links and resources below to learn more about making your hospital PVC and DEHP-free.

Additional Resources: 

• Phthalate Safety Concerns Merit Substitute Products:  Article by Ted Schettler, M.D., , Science and Environmental Health Network:  
• Center for Health and Environmental Justice
• PVC Bad News Comes in Threes:  The Poison Plastic, Health Hazards and the Looming Waste Crisis, published by the Center for Health, Environment and Justice, .
• Healthcare Without Harm PVC and DEHP-free Resources:
  • PVC/DEHP Audit Tool
  • List of PVC and DEHP alternatives in medical devices for the NICU
  • PVC-free NICU Pledge 
  • List of PVC and DEHP alternatives in Medical Devices
  • List of alternatives to PVC in office supplies
  • PVC-free Green Building Resources