Vinyl chloride enters the body through food or water containing it. Passage of vinyl chloride through the skin is not likely to be an important pathway. There are no satisfactory tests to determine vinyl chloride exposure. Studies designed to determine if the low levels of vinyl chloride measured in outside air, drinking water, or food could cause harmful effects in humans have not been performed. However, vinyl chloride is a known carcinogen.
Vinyl chloride that enters drinking water comes from factories that release wastes containing it into rivers and lakes and from its seepage into underground water in areas where chemical wastes containing it are stored. Small amounts of vinyl chloride can enter the drinking water from contact with polyvinyl chloride pipes. In the past, higher than expected amounts were present in foods packaged in plastic that contained vinyl chloride.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) limits the amount of vinyl chloride allowed in packaging materials, notably plastics, that contact food in order to limit the intake of vinyl chloride. The US In 1989, the US EPA set limits on vinyl chloride in the drinking water. In order to control the handling of vinyl chloride, EPA has named the chemical as a hazardous component of solid waste.