Action Alerts
Phase-Out PVC In Cars: Send a Letter to Ford and DaimlerChrysler Asking them
to Join GM in the Quest to Phase-Out PVC in Cars
At the Detroit Auto Show last January, the Clean Car Campaign congratulated General
Motors for becoming the first auto company to commit to eliminating Polyvinyl
Chloride (PVC) from all their car interiors by 2004. Although GM has not yet stopped
using PVC, we are hopeful this action will set the momentum for a PVC-free car.
Unfortunately, Ford and Daimler Chrysler have not yet followed GM's lead.
GOOD BYE TO PVC
PVC, a substance widely used in today's cars, medical products and children's
toys, should be eliminated wherever possible because it is one of the most hazardous
substances known to human health and the environment. When PVC is manufactured
and improperly disposed, a dangerous byproduct called dioxin is produced. Dioxins
accumulates in the fatty tissues of humans and has been linked to cancer, impaired
child development, infertility and immune deficiency. Avoiding PVC and using safer,
nontoxic materials is the best way to eliminate PVC's potential hazards.
A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
GM's decision to eliminate PVCs from their cars addresses two components of
the
Clean Car Standard
(http://www.cleancarcampaign.org) : 1) elimination of substances of concern,
and 2) design for recyclability and maximum use of recycled materials. PVC is
not only dangerous to our health, it is also very difficult and costly to recycle.
Hence the parts of a car containing PVC, including interior panels, electric
wires, and undercoatings end up as wastes, further contaminating our environment.
Thermoplastic Olefins (TPOs), alternatives to PVC plastics, have the potential
to be 100% recyclable. Recyclable PVC alternatives will help automakers meet
the Clean Car Standard's challenge to demonstrate that the vehicle is at least
80% reusable or recyclable by weight.
While several automakers have eliminated PVC from instrument panel skins in select
vehicle models, only GM has publicly committed to the near-term elimination of
PVC in all interior panels. And it is ultimately possible to have a totally PVC-free
car -- Honda intends to create a 100% recyclable auto by 2010, without the use
of PVC.
With this action letter, you can let top officials at Ford and DaimlerChrysler
know that consumers want cars that use cleaner, recyclable materials.
Please see the letter and instructions below to send your own personal message
to DaimlerChrysler and Ford chief executives. Thanks again for your help in reducing
the life cycle environmental impacts of the car. As always, please spread the
word about the Clean Car Pledge to your firends and family.
Instructions To Respond Via The Web:
If you have access to a web browser, you can send the targets of this action a
free fax and sign the Clean Car Pledge (if you haven't already) by going to the
Environmental
Defense Member Action Site: http://actionnetwork.org/add.tcl?domain=Clean%5fCar
You will be required to log-in and establish a password prior to taking the
action. However, if you've already taken the Clean Car Pledge, just type your
email address in the form and hit submit. We strongly encourage you to make edits
directly to our sample letter (shown below), prior to sending your letter.
Sample Letter
Mr. Juergen Schrempp, CEO, DaimlerChrysler
Mr. William Clay Ford, Jr., Chairman Ford Motor Company
General Motors recently announced that it would eliminate Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
from all its car interiors by 2004 - a move that will promote more sustainable,
healthy communities. I challenge your company to match GM's commitment and accelerate
your efforts to produce PVC-free cars.
The elimination of PVC from cars and trucks is just one aspect of the Clean
Car Standard that establishes tough environmental criteria for the use of non-toxic,
recyclable materials, as well as fuel efficiency and tailpipe emissions. As
an environmentally conscientious consumer, I will use the Standard as my guide
to cleaner vehicle purchases. (To learn more about meeting the Standard - please
visit the
Clean Car Campaign's website at: http://www.cleancarcampaign.org).
As you know, PVC is a toxic substance that can pose great risks to human health.
When PVC is manufactured and improperly disposed, dangerous byproducts including
dioxins may be produced. Numerous health studies have shown the link between dioxin
and cancer, impaired child development, infertility and immune deficiencies. I
urge you to adopt product designs that do not require the use of substances that
are known to harm human health and the environment.
Better alternatives to PVC exist. Thermoplastic Olefin, for example, has the potential
to be 100% recyclable. This addresses another component of the Clean Car Standard
- to increase the recyclability of vehicles.
I challenge your company to strive to create PVC-free cars. I urge you to immediately
match GM's commitment to eliminate PVC from all interior panels by 2004, if not
sooner. I also would like your company to eliminate PVC from electrical wiring,
undercoating and other areas of the car. Phasing-out the use of PVC is the only
way to ensure that our communities are not threatened by this dangerous material.
Sincerely,
