Vinyl does not harm the atmosphere. Once chlorine is processed into vinyl, it is chemically locked into the product more tightly than it was in salt. When vinyl is recycled, landfilled, or disposed of in a modern incinerator, chlorine gas is not released into the atmosphere.

Vinyl production is an extremely small source of dioxin and is used every day in important products. The vinyl industry has studied and worked to reduce its contribution to dioxin. In fact, vinyl manufacturing reports ambient emissions to air and water on the order of four to seven grams of dioxin per year equivalent to 100 grains of salt. Other dioxin sources include forest fires, volcanoes, burning wood in fireplaces, exhaust from diesel-powered vehicles, and manufacture of other building materials. Overall, dioxin levels in the environment have been declining for decades, according to data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). During this time, Production and use of vinyl has substantially increased.

According to the EPA:

• Dioxin emissions from industrial sources in the United States have decreased significantly since 1987
• Vinyl’s dioxin emissions are a tiny fraction of the overall total. In 2016, dioxin emissions to air and water from chor-vinyl manufacturing chain represented 4.2 grams TEQ out of a total 78.1 grams TEQ which is about 5.4%  emitted by the entire industry.

HCI is a by-product of burning vinyl, but it does not incapacitate of become dangerous until it reached concentrations far higher than those that have been measured in actual fires. In real fires, HCI air concentration declines rapidly as it adheres to surfaces. Because it is an irritant with a pungent odor, HCI can serve as a warning to evacuate. Since the 1970s, fire incidence and deaths have declined steadily.

Vinyl can be safely incinerated and its energy recaptured and reused. A large-scale study by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers found no link between the chlorine content of waste-like vinyl and dioxin emissions from controlled combustion processes. Instead, the study stated, the operating conditions of combustors are the critical factor in dioxin generation. Other scientific studies confirmed this conclusion.

Vinyl products are able to meet low volatile organic compounds (VOC) requirements in standards such as FloorScore®, Green Label Plus, and GREENGUARD.

IAQ can be affected by biological factors, as well. In hot and humid climates, impermeable wall coverings can cause condensation to occur inside the walls. Manufacturers have addressed this issue with innovations such as mildew-resistant or “microvented” products that allow moisture to circulate.

• By discouraging moisture and resulting microbial growth, vinyl flooring products and vinyl-backed carpet are some of the vinyl products that contribute to IAQ