Cadmium

Cadmium based stabilisers are now very rarely used for PVC-U window applications in Europe, though they may be present in some older windows as cadmium based soaps were used as stabilisers. The move away from cadmium by manufacturers of window profiles has not been prompted by any major risk to people or the environment. Indeed, the 1992 EC Cadmium Directive recognised the lack of acute threat in allowing a phased reduction in the use of cadmium pigments and stabilisers, and in permitting their continued use in certain applications such as PVC-U window profiles.

The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency recently confirmed that heavy metal stabilisers are firmly bonded into the PVC material and do not leach out (19).

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19. Swedish Environmental Protection Agency Press Release, 28 June 1996, "Manufacturers Liability Includes Recycling PVC Plastics", released in connection with the publication of: Hagstrom P, Oberg K. Disposal of PVC Waste, Naturvårdsverket; June 1996, Sweden.