But is it safe to use around food plants?
Based on all the research papers I’ve read, I believe it’s clear PVC is a toxic material that has no place in an organic garden – or anywhere! All plastics can leach toxic substances to some degree, given the right conditions. There are, however, safer plastics than others. See Choosing Safe Containers for Growing Food.
is toxic during manufacture right through to when it is disposed of.
There’s a huge number of research papers, scientific studies and credible technical reports on the dangers of PVC. If you are trying to grow a safe food garden, then you may be interested in the answers to the following questions.
How do Chemicals from PVC Leak into the Environment?
Weathering, exposure to sunlight and other factors can cause the plastic to become brittle and form microcracks, leaching micro particles into the atmosphere, soil and waterways.
How does PVC Plastic Affect Edible Plants?
* Phthalates are a large group of chemicals that act as binding agents, make plastics flexible and are mainly used to soften PVC. Phthalates have been linked to an alarming number of health issues and diseases. These include breast cancer, ADHD, asthma, obesity, type II diabetes, autism spectrum disorders, reproductive problems and male fertility issues.
That’s not all! In a 2015 scientific study, the results showed that edible plants including vegetables, take up and accumulate phthalates* in the soil that are leached by chemicals like PVC. Toxic chemicals were found in the plant tissues of lettuce, strawberries and carrots, imposing human health risks through diet.
Seems pretty clear hey? If you still want to dig deeper, check the references at the end of this article.
These are a few safety tips to avoid contaminating your garden with PVC.
Avoid drinking from the hose unless it is definitely free of phthalates. Choose a non-PVC polyurethane hose instead that is marked ‘drinking water safe’ such as Water Right. Some brands of PVC hoses contain phthalates and lead even though they are labeled ‘drinking water safe’.
If you use plastic-based garden gloves, you may want to consider an environmentally and healthier alternative like gloves made from bamboo.
Avoid purchasing plastics. Reduce your own consumption and choose safer and more environmentally alternatives instead. PVC will continue poisoning the environment, even if it is recycled. We can all do our bit to reduce the impact.
Avoid using pesticides as many of these harmful chemical products contain phthalates.
It’s much safer to eat certified organic produce. Animals that have been exposed to pesticide-treated feeds are not permitted in organic dairy and meat products.
* Read the Garden Hose Report Summary.
Are there Alternatives to PVC in your Garden?
There are a variety of safer options, depending on the use you have in mind. You may be able to substitute PVC with some of these materials instead: sustainable timber, bamboo, clay pipes, cardboard, cast iron, steel, concrete vitrified clay, and plastics such as HDPE (high density polyethylene) #5.
I don’t recommend using PVC pipes in worm farms, strawberry towers or any garden application relating to food.
As you can see, PVC has some major impacts in terms of toxicity. Personally, I keep PVC well away from my garden and try to use natural materials wherever possible to avoid contaminating my soil and food. My suggestion is to apply the ‘Precautionary Principle’ and err on the side of caution when it comes to growing edibles.
I hope this helps provide some food for thought!
Want to learn more about this topic? Then check the peer reviewed literature in the references section of some of these articles for more in depth research.
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