Negative Attributes of PVC and Fluted Polypropylene Plastic Substrates — Aqua-Rite Digi-Rite

Coroplast and other fluted Polypropylene

Fluted plastic-like Coroplast and other Polypropylene material production is not environmentally friendly. Polypropylene is not biodegradable and also does produce substantial carbon waste during production.

Coroplast and other Polypropylene materials are made from substances that are derived from hydrocarbon fuels like petroleum oil.  First, the monomer Propylene is extracted from crude oil in gas form, and this monomer is then subjected to a process called chain-growth polymerization to create the polymer Polypropylene.

Is Polypropylene safe? 

Polypropylene, which is derived from petroleum, is considered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to be a safer choice than some other types of plastics. It’s not known to cause cancer in humans, and it’s less flammable in fabrics than wool. It’s important to note, however, that some newer research does point to toxicity in certain polypropylene containers. 

The researchers in a 2019 study looked at many kinds of plastic in a wide range of products. They found that the toxicity of a particular plastic varied dramatically from product to product because of each product’s manufacturing process. In this study, researchers found that some polypropylene products affected androgen hormones and caused a toxic or stress response in cells. More research is needed, especially since plastics are chemically complex, and each product could have different effects.

PVC Foamcore, Gatorboard, Ultraboard, and other PolyVinyl Chloride Products

The anti-vinyl case:

Rigid and flexible PVC and PVC Foam products contain harmful carcinogens, most notably VCM (Vinyl Chloride Monomer). Other chemicals such as dioxin and phthalates, both carcinogenic, may also be released into an indoor environment, endangering the people who work and live in buildings that use PVC. Dioxin is a super-toxic chemical released when plastic that contains chlorine is burned.  

Aside from cancer, Dioxin can also trigger nervous system disorders and birth defects. Phthalates are carcinogenic chemicals often used in plastics to make them flexible. While the fact that vinyl contains carcinogens should be reason enough to avoid it, PVC is increasingly dangerous when burned. Therefore, house and building fires involving PVC are dangerous not only for homeowners and workers, but for firefighters and rescue workers as well.