India’s public health has come under renewed scrutiny after a new report warned that imported PVC resin may contain dangerously high levels of carcinogenic chemicals. The assessment, released by the Centre for Domestic Economy Policy Research (C-DEP.in) at IIT Delhi, highlights a growing concern over Residual Vinyl Chloride Monomer (RVCM) found in PVC resin shipments, particularly those originating from China. According to the report, some imports contain RVCM concentrations nearly five times higher than accepted global safety limits.
PVC resin is widely used across industries ranging from construction and healthcare to household utilities. Experts warn that exposure to elevated RVCM levels can significantly increase long-term cancer risks. With India relying heavily on imported resin, the findings have raised alarm over the safety of products used every day.
The report places strong emphasis on the urgent enforcement of the Quality Control Order (QCO) proposed by the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals in 2024. Though the QCO was designed to regulate quality and prevent hazardous imports, its implementation has been delayed. C-DEP president Jaijit Bhattacharya noted that the government is now expected to enforce it by December 2025, a move he says is essential to protect consumers and maintain industrial standards.
Economic and public health advocates have echoed this concern. Anil Sharma of the Swadeshi Jagran Manch said that applying quality standards solely to finished products is insufficient. He argued that raw materials such as PVC resin must also adhere to strict safety norms to safeguard citizens and ensure Indian manufacturers are not undercut by low-quality, high-risk imports.
The report further points out that enforcing the QCO would not disrupt supply chains. Thirty-nine international suppliers already hold BIS certification, meaning they meet India’s quality benchmarks and can continue exporting without interruption. Strengthening these standards, researchers believe, will not only protect public health but also improve India’s competitiveness in global markets by ensuring that domestic products meet stringent and transparent safety norms.
As concerns grow, policymakers are under increasing pressure to accelerate regulatory measures. Public health researchers say the issue underscores the importance of robust quality checks in a rapidly expanding industrial economy—where overlooked chemical risks can have far-reaching consequences for millions of people.