Is PVC toxic?

[Philipgonzales3]

Just the first couple results that popped up in Google. I remember reading this about 5 years ago when I had a couple of freshwater tanks. I've been wondering about this more and more so thought I'd ask.

http://www.chej.org/pvcfactsheets/The_Poison_Plastic.html

https://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/repair/vinyl-siding-lethal1.htm

 

[Anirban]

Yes officially its toxic.

 

[Hermie]

Google isn't the best place to find reliable information

 

[wesman42]

Are you planning on eating PVC?

 

[Philipgonzales3]

Are you planning on eating PVC?

Not that I know of. Was just curious if anyone thought it was harmful over the long term to fish. But thinking about it now, with a little ketchup it might not be too bad.

 

[Anirban]

Not that I know of. Was just curious if anyone thought it was harmful over the long term to fish. But thinking about it now, with a little ketchup it might not be too bad.

This is a link and guideline from National institute of health.
https://toxtown.nlm.nih.gov/chemicals-and-contaminants/polyvinyl-chloride-pvc

 

[GlassMunky]

Not that I know of. Was just curious if anyone thought it was harmful over the long term to fish. But thinking about it now, with a little ketchup it might not be too bad.

Considering that hundreds of public aquariums have been setup for decades in some cases I’m gonna go ahead and say no it won’t adversely effect your fish in the long run

 

[Philipgonzales3]

This is a link and guideline from National institute of health.
https://toxtown.nlm.nih.gov/chemicals-and-contaminants/polyvinyl-chloride-pvc

Did you get to this page using Google? If so according to @NotASpammerDude you did not find this info in the best way.

Of course I was looking for info on PVC toxicity and not research paper best practices


So it looks like it is in the realm of possiblity that PVC could be detrimental to fish health. Probably a lot more stuff that could affect them like QT vs no QT, food quality and quantity, etc.

Just being curious really, not looking to change the world or anything here.

 

[Philipgonzales3]

Considering that hundreds of public aquariums have been setup for decades in some cases I’m gonna go ahead and say no it won’t adversely effect your fish in the long run

At one point weren't all houses made with asbestos? I'm not looking to change how my tank is setup, have always just been curious about this. I guess we will likely never know for sure. I'm sure we come into contact with more immediately toxic things. According to all the shows on Netflix. Everything gives you cancer and everything is bad to eat. Lol.

 

[Anirban]

Did you get to this page using Google? If so according to @NotASpammerDude you did not find this info in the best way.

Of course I was looking for info on PVC toxicity and not research paper best practices


So it looks like it is in the realm of possiblity that PVC could be detrimental to fish health. Probably a lot more stuff that could affect them like QT vs no QT, food quality and quantity, etc.

Just being curious really, not looking to change the world or anything here.

Lol ... no. I did not google. I will say its more of my professional area related. PVC is toxic but its relative term. You are not burning them or eating them or staying in long physical contact so I will say there is no harm but still its toxic in character.

 

[GlassMunky]

Yea I mean and water is toxic as well.....
water poisoning kills people.
But nobody is afraid to drink water.

 

[wesman42]

This would be a great question for @Randy Holmes-Farley

 

[Merv Himself]

Just the first couple results that popped up in Google. I remember reading this about 5 years ago when I had a couple of freshwater tanks. I've been wondering about this more and more so thought I'd ask.

http://www.chej.org/pvcfactsheets/The_Poison_Plastic.html

https://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/repair/vinyl-siding-lethal1.htm

Over the years, I have used a heat technique to loosen old PVC fittings and I can tell you from first hand experience, it is VERY TOXIC when softened in such a way. Proof here for anyone who is interested: https://bit.ly/2TLtrFX

 

[fish farmer]

At one point weren't all houses made with asbestos? I'm not looking to change how my tank is setup, have always just been curious about this. I guess we will likely never know for sure. I'm sure we come into contact with more immediately toxic things. According to all the shows on Netflix. Everything gives you cancer and everything is bad to eat. Lol.

At one point city water mains were made with asbestos pipes....some probably still are in service...http://www.fwr.org/pipeline/dwi0822.htm

 

[Merv Himself]

I think it may be safe to deduce that PVC ... in it's rigid, stable form ... is safe when considering the lifespan of a typical aquarium fish. As humans, God only knows what they are exposing people to. But, hey, they need to control the population somehow right?

 

[Merv Himself]

Not that I know of. Was just curious if anyone thought it was harmful over the long term to fish. But thinking about it now, with a little ketchup it might not be too bad.

I gotta admit, when you melt it, it looks like a nicely toasted marshmallow!

 

[scriptmonkey]

I would recommend not smoking or snorting it either. It makes the Surgeon General cry.

 

[Philipgonzales3]

I would recommend not smoking or snorting it either. It makes the Surgeon General cry.

He/she never let's us do anything fun!

 

[scriptmonkey]

So true, they are a bunch of fun haters.

 

[Merv Himself]

Nothin' like the manly satisfaction that comes from melting PVC.