Tell The Home Depot: Stop Selling Poison PVC

PVC plastic is in things we interact with every day, like flooring, siding, drinking water, and carpeting. Low-income communities and people of color experience disproportionately high exposure and harm from PVC. One study found that levels of these chemicals in multi-unit, affordable housing were two to 18 times higher than in single-family homes.

The Home Depot is the largest home improvement chain in the U.S. and one of the largest sellers of PVC in the world. It has the opportunity to stop selling PVC and help prevent the next vinyl chloride disaster. Tell The Home Depot: Stop selling this poison plastic.

Friend,

In February 2023, a train carrying toxic vinyl chloride derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. The spilled vinyl chloride from that train was then purposely set ablaze. The fire released dangerous chemicals across Ohio and Pennsylvania, making residents sick from breathing the toxic air.

For more than two years, local communities have demanded action to address their suffering. But not enough has been done.

The chemicals on that train traveled across the country and were meant to make PVC plastic sold by major retailers like The Home Depot. 

Tell Home Depot: Stop selling this poison plastic.

PVC is all around us, Friend. It’s in things we interact with every day, like flooring, siding, drinking water, and carpeting. PVC is also used in products such as single-use packaging, children’s toys, and apparel. Low-income communities and people of color experience disproportionately high exposure and harm from PVC. One study found that levels of these chemicals in multi-unit, affordable housing were two to 18 times higher than in single-family homes.

Building materials we use in our homes shouldn’t expose consumers, communities, or workers to carcinogens or other harmful chemicals. Period.

The Home Depot is the largest home improvement chain in the U.S. and one of the largest sellers of PVC in the world. It has the opportunity to stop selling PVC and help prevent the next vinyl chloride disaster. Your voice truly makes a difference. Join us in demanding that The Home Depot ban this unnecessary toxic plastic to protect our communities and families.

We know that major retailers are capable of change. The Home Depot has banned other toxic chemicals in their products, like PFAS in carpets and rugs. We need them to do it again.

Thank you for being with us, Friend.

Madeleine Foote

Director, Healthy Communities Program

League of Conservation Voters

PS - We need your help now! Tell The Home Depot: Build a safer future and ban this poison plastic.