The health effects and a bioremediation process for vinyl chloride

Vinyl chloride is a colorless organic gas with high volatility. The carcinogen is the secondary pollutant from chlorinated ethenes that have been extensively used in plastic industries and facilities during manufacturing. Since 1970s numerous reports have appeared regarding a distinct relationship between high level of exposure to vinyl chloride and angiosarcomas of the liver (ASL), in which occupational exposure is of high concern for potential risk of public health. Improved bioremediation for dense non-aqueous phase liquid (DNAPL) contamination has been utilized to reduce vinyl chloride concentration in groundwater. To understand the factors controlling VC degradation in the presence of both substrates (methane and ethene) and both microbial groups (methanotrophs and etheneotrophs), cometabolic activities of methanotrophs, etheneotrophs, and both microbial groups are discussed respectively in this essay