Lead-based heat stabilizers are added to PVC for wire and cable applications because they provide long-term thermal stability and electrical resistance with low water absorption. Without heat stabilizers, PVC resins begin to degrade by dehydrochlorination at temperatures of 160ºC, which is below the PVC processing temperature (Mizuno et al., 1999). Although lead additives to PVC are cost- and performance-competitive, they have potential adverse health and environmental effects due to the known toxicity of lead. In looking at the life cycle of the lead compounds, releases of lead into the ambient or workplace environment may occur from the mining or processing of lead, or from recycling or disposing of products containing lead. Lead is a heavy metal that has been linked to developmental abnormalities in fetuses and children that ingest or absorb lead, primarily from paints or emissions from leaded gasoline. Small amounts of lead cause hypertension in adults and permanent mental dysfunction, and the Department of Health and Human Services has determined that lead acetate and lead phosphate may reasonably be anticipated to be carcinogens, based on animal studies. Further, lead is a toxic chemical that persists and bioaccumulates in the environment (DHHS, 1999). The toxic nature of lead has resulted in efforts around the globe to reduce its use.