UGBA 172 – Week 10 Reading Paper Response 30

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University of California, Berkeley *

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172

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Chemistry

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Jan 9, 2024

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UGBA 172 – Week 10 Reading Paper Response 30.03.22 1. What health problems result from exposure to the chemicals used to manufacture polyvinyl chloride? When and how were these problems discovered? The primary health problem that results from exposure to the chemicals used to manufacture polyvinyl chloride is Acroosteolysis. It is a degenerative bone condition that was affecting workers who were responsible for producing plastics. The problem that was causing Acroosteolysis was the chemical vinyl chloride, in which it was known to pose a potential danger when workers were exposed to extremely high quantities of the chemical. The problem was discovered because it caused faintness, disorientation and drowsiness among workers. Producers of vinyl chloride saw that these problems were prevalent among workers, thus getting an idea that the substance could possibly cause chronic conditions for workers well before it was linked to any specific diseases by medical professionals. 2. When did the chemical industry learn of these hazards and what did it do about them? The chemical industry was well aware of these hazards when it saw how it affected workers who were in daily contact with it. However, the industry as a whole refused to take notice despite obvious hints of the toxicity problems. Industrial hygienists also failed to change the TLV standards for more than a decade. First, the chemical industry planned and executed an elaborate scheme to deceive the government and mislead the public. The industry hid information about the actual health costs of using vinyl chloride, and it closed ranks to protect and label its products as safe. The industry also only released information that would reassure people of the “safe” nature of the finished product. Furthermore, the industry worked to forestall any regulatory actions. Second, in response to concerns about vinyl chloride causing cancer, the chemical industry published false reports that were masqueraded as objective science. The industry as a whole was motivated by money and power, rather than health. It aimed to deflect national attention from the potential hazards of untested chemicals. Third, the chemical industry worked with other countries to avoid any further legal and public relations consequences. European producers began to enlist American counterparts in secrecy agreements, in which these agreements aimed at preventing public discussion of the toxicity of vinyl chloride. The TLV was not trying to protect product information or any innovative experimental procedures. Instead, it was solely trying to avoid a public relations and a legal nightmare. 3. Your reaction? The way that the chemical industry attempted to hide the truth about vinyl chloride reminded me of the Chernobyl nuclear leak accident. The government officials and the nuclear reaction managers did everything to prevent the public from knowing about the

accident. When the accident was known to the public, the government went to full length to prevent the people from knowing the true costs of the nuclear leak; thus causing countless casualties and citizens not being able to leave. Similar to Chernobyl, parties who were responsible in both situations wanted to avoid any consequences; thus causing even further damage as they pretended that the situation was not serious.

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