Lead

Elemental lead is not used as a PVC additive. Special compounds known as salts and soaps are used in PVC applications to give very good processing and weatherability characteristics. The presence of lead based stabilisers in PVC products does not represent any significant risk of damage to health. The safety of lead stabilisers has been confirmed by the UK Drinking Water Inspectorate, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, the Swedish Water and Waste Waterworks Association, the World Health Organisation and the OECD, which have all approved the use of lead stabilisers in PVC pipes intended to carry potable (drinking) water.

In fact, an official Swedish test institute conducted tests to see how lead migration from PVC pipe would compare to the limits set down in the EU Ceramics Directive (which covers migration limits for food contact ceramics) (20). Their results showed that it is just as safe to eat meals off a lead stabilised PVC pipe as it is to eat them off a ceramic plate (21).

20. Packforsk Consultant AB, Project Nos. 215545 and 215574 for Nordic Plastic Pipe Association, November 1995.

21. Donnelly, P. Current Legislative Position of Stabilisers Used in PVC - A Risk Assessment papers and National and International Regulations ECVM/ELSA/ORTEP 1996.