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CPSC Issues Ban On Vinyl Chloride In Aerosols

Release Date: August 16, 1974



The ban, issued under the authority of the Federal Hazardous Substances Act will take effect 45 days after publication in the Federal Register unless legally sufficient arguments are submitted to the Commission, necessitating a public hearing.

Vinyl chloride has been linked by scientific studies and clinical reports to a rare form of liver cancer. Although there is no evidence directly linking cancer to the use of aerosols containing vinyl chloride, consumers are always subject to inhalation of the substance whenever they use aerosols that contain it. And there is no known safe exposure level.

The Commission has determined that the degree and nature of the hazard presented by aerosol products containing vinyl chloride is such that the public health and safety can be adequately served only by keeping these products out of the marketplace. Therefore, all such products would be banned.

The agency stated that, to its best knowledge, vinyl chloride is not now being used in newly-manufactured aerosols, but the substance may be contained in aerosols which were manufactured several months ago. Only a small fraction of aerosols in homes can be expected to contain vinyl chloride. At the time of the ban, all manufacturers, distributors, and retailers will be required to post lists of specific products which are covered by the ban, and consumers will be able to return those products for refunds.

The ban covers most aerosol products except food, drugs, and cosmetics, which are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration; and insecticides and pesticides, which are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency. Aerosol products believed to have contained vinyl chloride include:

-Paints and Finishes

-Protective and Decorative Coatings

-Paint Removers

-Adhesives and

-Solvents

Release Number
74-059

About the U.S. CPSC
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products has contributed to a decline in the rate of injuries associated with consumer products over the past 50 years. 

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