Polyvinyl Chloride Encyclopedia Article

Polyvinyl Chloride

The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.

(c)1998-2002; (c)2002 by Gale. Gale is an imprint of The Gale Group, Inc., a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Gale and Design and Thomson Learning are trademarks used herein under license.

The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction: "Social Concerns", "Thematic Overview", "Techniques", "Literary Precedents", "Key Questions", "Related Titles", "Adaptations", "Related Web Sites". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.

The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.

All other sections in this Literature Study Guide are owned and copyrighted by BookRags, Inc.

Polyvinyl Chloride

Polyvinyl chloride, also known as PVC, is a plastic produced by the polymerization of vinyl chloride. It is used with plasticizers to make packaging films, boots, garden hose, etc. Without plasticizers, PVC is used to make pipe, siding, shingles, window frames, toys, and other items. An attractive aspect of PVC for industry is its ability to withstand weathering and its resistance to chemicals and solvents. However, this attractive aspect is the major environmental concern for PVC and many other plastics. The great bulk of such plastic (about 98%) is neither reused nor recycled but occupies ever dwindling landfill space.