Vinyl Chloride Disease

Vinyl chloride is a known human carcinogen that causes a rare cancer of the liver.

Vinyl chloride disease.

Portal hypertension liver fibrosis and angiosarcoma of the liver asl have been reported among workers exposed to vinyl chloride monomer vcm since the 1970s. Vinyl chloride is a deadly toxic chemical despite industry s repeated attempts to hide the threats. Loss of visual acuity occurs very rapidly and is accompanied by ascending paralysis. Exposed to vinyl chloride for 1 to 25 yr mean 14 58 i e.

Vinyl chloride a chemical known to cause cancer poisons the air breathed by workers and people living in contaminated communities. Pyramidal syndromes in 52 cerebellar disturbances in 38. 44 in combination with positive neurological findings i e. Vinyl chloride has a mild sweet odor which may become noticeable at 3 000 parts vinyl chloride per million parts ppm of air.

There is no treatment for this disease. Devic s disease a demyelinative disease of the optic nerve the optic chiasma and the spinal cord characterized by a bilateral acute optic neuritis with a transverse inflammation of the spinal cord. 27 and in 88 i e. However the odor is of little value in preventing excess exposure.

The atsdr toxicological profile succinctly characterizes the toxicologic and adverse health effects information for the hazardous substance described here. Vinyl chloride exposure is associated with an increased risk of a rare form of liver cancer hepatic angiosarcoma as well as brain and lung cancers lymphoma and leukemia. Vinyl chloride is used to make polyvinyl chloride pvc. Most people begin to taste vinyl chloride in water at 3 4 ppm.

Chloroethene chloroethylene ethylene monochloride monochloroethene monochloroethylene vc vcm vinyl chloride monomer vcm colorless gas or liquid below 7 f with a pleasant odor at high concentrations. Shipped as a liquefied compressed gas. Each peer reviewed profile identifies and reviews the key literature that describes a hazardous substance s toxicologic properties. Occupational safety health administration provides information about exposure limits to vinyl chloride.

Other pertinent literature is also presented but is described in less detail than the key studies. In 2007 the international agency for research on cancer established the association of vcm with hepatocellular carcinoma hcc though only on the basis. 29 were free of complaints and nervous disturbances.