Question for Gary from PVC-U-LIKE

[mason]

Now that England has - finally - left the EU, does this mean you no longer need to follow the ridiculous rules relating to the use of plasticisers in your rainwear?

As much as I love your plastic clothing, I do miss the Taiwan raincoats and soft & heavy jellies of the eighties. They had a delicious suppleness we just don't see anymore nowadays.

[Deleted User 5375]

My understanding is that the plasticisers are quite carcinogenic and linked to cancer, and banned for good reason, so I for one want to stay as safe as possible when dressed up.

[rainwear-experience]

I'm sure PUL will stay ahead of the game and ensure all their products are safe

[rainfash]

Totally agree. But If plasticizers were as that bad for your health, all the ladies who wore Vinyl rainvoats in the 70s must now suffer from cancer, theoretically.
And Imagine the workers, who worked 10 and more years in a raincoat factory in the 70s ?
All of them had cancer ?

[rainwear-experience]

Totally agree. But If plasticizers were as that bad for your health, all the ladies who wore Vinyl rainvoats in the 70s must now suffer from cancer, theoretically.
And Imagine the workers, who worked 10 and more years in a raincoat factory in the 70s ?
All of them had cancer ?

So what's your theory on why they stopped using plasticizers?

Surely you dont believe if there is ANY evidence that plasticizers can cause cancer or any other illness they should continue to be used

[pvculike]

Hi Mason, The EU have what is called the REACH document. Contained in that document are over 250 chemicals which the EU have deemed potential health hazards and have restricted their use in manufactured products. For many years from the 50's to the 80's a plasticiser called DEHP or DOP was used to soften PVC sheeting. It was very effective and cheap and did give PVC that soft rubbery feeling we love. Unfortuanetly DOP is listed on the REACH doc as having potential carcinogenic and endocrine potential so it was banned from Kids toys and placed on the REACH doc as a precaution. The fact is that the amount of DOP you would have to be exposed to to cause any effect is almost impossible to achieve and the body is very good at eliminating any DOP in your body through urine. In fact the majority of Blood bags made worldwide are still made using DEHP because of its superior plasticing qualities. More recently there has been the development of DINP which is a superior Plastciciser but due to its high molecular weight has been demonstrated to be safe to Humans. At PUL we have been using DINP for many years now. However in China there is no restriction on DOP and because its cheap its use is widespread and I'm afraid to say it but in China sometimes profit overides safety. Now here's the rub (excuse the pun) I personally would be happy to wear a raincoat that is soft and rubbery and made from DOP, I'm nearly 60 now and I've got to die of something! However as a manufacturer and as a director I have a responsibilty of due diligence to my customers in assuring my products are safe to wear and use and because DOP is on the REACH list I still have to go with my conscience. You are correct that in theory that now we are no longer part of the EU I do not have to abide by the REACH doc but I think the UK will bring in its own version which could be even more prohibitive! regards Gaz

[rainwear-experience]

Flippin' heck Gaz making and selling macs isn't as easy as I thought

[pvculike]

Flippin' heck Gaz making and selling macs isn't as easy as I thought

Ray, Nothing is easy these days especially making and selling raincoats!

Happy new year to all you guys!

Gaz

[mason]

Hi Mason, The EU have what is called the REACH document.... which could be even more prohibitive! regards Gaz

Hi Gary, thank you so much for your great explanation. I really appreciate it. I totally understand your position, although that does not mean I agree with this bullshit as determined by the wankers in the EU bureaucracy.

[rainwear-experience]

Hi Mason, The EU have what is called the REACH document.... which could be even more prohibitive! regards Gaz

Hi Gary, thank you so much for your great explanation. I really appreciate it. I totally understand your position, although that does not mean I agree with this bullshit as determined by the wankers in the EU bureaucracy.

Oh dear someones got his plastic knickers in a knot

You could write a strongly worded letter to the wankers in the EU bureaucracy I'm sure they've very little to do now Brexit is done