Is PVC OK?

Vinyl, wood, and sustainability (Building Design & Construction, 02.05) comments on the USGBC's recent draft report on the use of vinyl materials in building construction. Contrary to the expectations of many involved in the green building movement, the report takes no strong position regarding the issue. Building Design & Construction's editorial lauds the "courage and intellectual integrety" of the task group and the manner in which this controversial issue is being studied.

Prepared by the USGBC PVC Task Group, the report's executive summary states in part:

The available evidence does not support a conclusion that PVC is consistently worse than alternative materials on a life cycle environmental and health basis...Therefore the current body of knowledge [report's emphasis] as analyzed in this report does not support a credit in the LEED rating system for eliminating PVC.

According to the report, USGBC's consideration of a LEED credit for the avoidance of PVC in construction materials goes back to the year 2000, and its Technical and Scientific Advisory Committee was tasked with studying the issue in November of 2002. Tasks remaining in the evaluation process include solicitation of stakeholder comments, preparation of a final report and recommendations, and development of a final USGBG position.

More Info
Questions about materials strain the fabric of USGBC’s big tent (Architecture Record, 03.05)
c3.org: By the Chlorine Chemistry Council, advocating the benefits of PVC.
PVC Alternative Database: By Greenpeace International, describing the detriments of PVC and more desirable alternatives.