PVC is a unique polymer. Unlike other plastics, PVC has chlorine as one of its chief ingredients, a greenish gas that is derived from salt (sodium chloride). To make PVC, the chlorine is mixed with hydrocarbons to form the monomer vinyl chloride, which is then polymerized, resulting in a fine-grained white powder.
This unusual chemistry is PVC’s greatest strength, but also its greatest problem – the reason that industry sings its praises and environmentalists call it Satan’s resin. The chlorine base makes PVC chemically stable, fire resistant, waterproof, and cheap (since oil or gas is needed to produce the molecule). It also makes PVC hazardous to manufacture and a nightmare to dispose of, because when PVC is incinerated it releases dioxins and furans, two of the most carcinogenic compounds in existence.
Susan Freinkel, Plastic: A Toxic Love Story, 2011, pp 85-86
PVC or vinyl is a favorite material for product developers. The material is cheap and with plasticizers and other additives can be made into almost anything. PVC is prevalent throughout society.
The additives in PVC are as harmful as the material itself. For example, plasticizers for PVC include phthalates, which may cause birth defects and developmental difficulties.
I am amazed at the number of products that contain. PVC is present in plastic products, as well as in the laminate used to protect some digital prints and canvases. It damages traditional photos (remember the magnetic albums) and is no better for digital prints.
Fortunately, the Creative Memories Technology Center is able to easily identify PVC, and it is not present in Creative Memories digital products. In fact, absence of PVC is one of the criteria for development of digital products.
Environmental sustainability is critical to our future, and because Creative Memories digital products contain no PVC, they preserve the environment and your memories.
All About Images Blog 
Really useful info, thanks Mark