"NEW ORLEANS -- The Environmental Protection Agency will set new nationwide emission standards for makers of polyvinyl chloride, commonly known as the plastic PVC, under a settlement with environmental groups announced Thursday.

EPA has agreed to set emission standards by July 29, 2011, for PVC manufacturers as part of a settlement with three environmental groups that sued EPA last year for failing to impose emission standards on PVC manufacturers in Louisiana.

The suit was filed in district court in Washington and the settlement was announced Thursday by Earthjustice, which handled the case for the plaintiffs. EPA declined to discuss the agreement."

Cain Burdeau reports for the Associated Press November 5, 2009. [2]