> PVC flutes are better mostly because being so low tech they cost
> next to nothing and the material so consistent that once a good
> pattern is found then large quantities are easily made.

PVC flutes are not a good career move. Look what I found about PVC (polyvinyl chloride).

"... Breathing high levels of vinyl chloride can cause you to feel dizzy or sleepy. Breathing very high levels can cause you to pass out, and breathing extremely high levels can cause death. ... People who breathe vinyl chloride for long periods of time can have changes to the structure of their livers. ... People who work with vinyl chloride have developed nerve damage and immune reactions. Other workers have developed problems with the blood flow in their hands; the tips of their fingers turn white and hurt when they are in cold temperatures. Sometimes, the bones in the tips of their fingers have broken down. ... " ~ http://environment.about.com/


"... Children in contact with soft PVC toys may, therefore, ingest substantial quantities of phthalates during normal play, especially from toys specifically designed to be chewed. This is of concern as phthalates are known to present a number of hazards. Although acute toxicity appears to be low, phthalates have been shown to cause a range of adverse effects in laboratory animals following longer exposure, including damage to the liver and kidney and, in some cases, effects on the reproductive tract. ... " ~ http://www.greenpeace.org

"... New studies are shedding light on the potential health hazards from PVC. Phthalates, a group of chemicals that are mixed into PVC to add flexibility, continuously leak out of the material and into the surrounding environment. Children absorb these compounds when they suck on toys or crawl on vinyl flooring. Swedish researchers recently reported that male workers in PVC plants have a risk of developing a form of testicular cancer - seminoma - that is six times that of the general population.
McGinn argues that cost-effective, workable substitutes exist for the bulk of PVC's current uses. In construction, where 60 percent of PVC is used, replacements in siding, pipes, cable insulation, flooring, and window frames include non-chlorinated plastics and modified, traditional materials like aluminum, wood, and ductile iron. Some communities now prohibit PVC from transportation, building, and infrastructure projects. ..." ~ http://www.worldwatch.org



"... The entire life cycle of PVC plastics is a polluting process. PVC plastic, or vinyl, is the most common plastic made from chlorine. The production and accidental or intentional burning (as with incineration) of this plastic produces the deadly chemical dioxin, which has been linked to cancer as well as developmental and reproductive problems. The health problems created by dioxin do not just affect people who work in or live near plants that emit dioxin. Dioxin has traveled into our food chain and now is found in a wide variety of common goods. People in the general population are already exposed to dangerous levels of dioxin. Dioxin presents a clear public health danger. ... ~ http://www.generationgreen.org


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