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When you burn anything, micro-pollutants and acidic gases and ash are produced during the process. PVC is a polyvinyl chloride polymer extensively used in several industries including automotive, construction, electronics, fashion and design, and more. Even if it is versatile and used by several industries, once it becomes a part of waste stream, it turns out to be a great source of harmful emissions when burnt.
This focus on PVC was because of the chlorine content present in it that leads to the production of dioxins. HCI emission, and solid hazardous waste production. Blame it all on the use of heavy metals in various formulations by manufacturing companies.
A large telecommunications company conducted a study to find which insulation materials to use on wiring in its central offices. They made a comparison of the amount of toxic gases released by heating or burning of PVC and PE. PE is a semi-crystalline polymer. It is composed of alkene groups chains. Though PE is flammable, but manufacturers of wires and cables add halogen compound to make it eligible for jacketing use over telephone cables.
PE compound begins to decompose when it is exposed to 627-892 degrees Fahrenheit temperature. It has a self ignition temperature of 660 degrees Fahrenheit. If you burn PE material in poor ventilated area, both carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide are produced.
PVC has a long chain of alkenes that are double-bonded with a monomer. Flexible PVC insulation is applied by cable manufacturers for wire and cable at power voltages and circuit voltages. It is applied on individual telephone conductors. It is flammable when a plasticizer, such as phlalate is applied. Manufacturers making fire retardant PVC cables are mixing the compound with phosphate ester plasticizer that sustains the flame retardant properties of PVC.
What preventive measures are advised to cut down the amount of micro-pollutants?
- Manufacturers advise to reduce the content of chlorinated organic substances in the waste to lower the content in hydrochloric acid in the flue gas of combustion.
- Proper use of technology is recommended to limit the presence of micro-pollutants in gaseous emissions.
If you consider yourself as an environment savior then try not to burn the PVC waste. Burning of PVC and plasticizers causes emission of harmful gases. Responsibility of maintaining the quality of environment we live in is not only meant to be taken by socialists. We are living here and we are responsible for everything happen to our environment. Take a pledge with PVC cables manufacturers that you won’t burn wasted PVC cables. You will instead send them to recycling units so that these cables can be repurposed in better way without causing pollution.