vinyl chloride

American  

noun

Chemistry.

1. a colorless, easily liquefied, flammable, slightly water-soluble gas, C 2 H 3 Cl, having a pleasant, etherlike odor: used in the manufacture of plastics, as a refrigerant, and in the synthesis of polyvinyl chloride and other organic compounds.

---

vinyl chloride British  

noun

1. a colourless flammable gaseous unsaturated compound made by the chlorination of ethylene and used as a refrigerant and in the manufacture of PVC; chloroethylene; chloroethene. Formula: CH:CHCl

---

vinyl chloride Scientific  

1. A flammable gas used to make polyvinyl chloride. Chemical formula: C ₂ H ₃ Cl.

---

Example Sentences

Several steel manufacturers lie in the flood-prone region of Asheville, and many were concerned that Silver-Line Plastics, which manufactures PVC pipes, could have released solvents or vinyl chloride into the surrounding environment with the flood.

From Salon • Jan. 28, 2025

She found that plastics contain dangerous chemicals like ethylene chloride and vinyl chloride, which Formosa was leaking into the water.

From Salon • Dec. 5, 2024

On a Friday night in early February last year, 38 rail cars on a Norfolk Southern train derailed, 11 of which were carrying hazard materials like vinyl chloride, a chemical used to make plastics.

From New York Times • May 23, 2024

In the accident, on Feb. 3 last year, 38 rail cars derailed; 11 of them contained hazardous materials, including vinyl chloride, used to make plastics.

From New York Times • Jan. 28, 2024

Inhalation of vinyl chloride has been linked to liver cancer and other health problems, according to the National Cancer Institute, and its use has long been banned in cosmetics, hair spray and other personal products.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 10, 2023