Some general comments:
If the manufacturers make a change, this will reduce new PVC production into products. But but your exposure won't change until the PVC you are in contact with is removed.
Keep in mind that these companies sell millions of products and ship millions of tons of plastic, so yeah for them environmental effects are something to be concerned about. More importantly there is the possiblity of regulations being passed limiting the use of PVC or certain constituent chemicals, so it's in their financial interest to explore alternatives.
I don't know. But the side issue is the vaporization; if you have it around, it will expose you. See post with reference links.
Are the leads that you hold made of PVC, or just the wire insulators? Even if they ar how long/often would you have to hold them for the "exposure" to be a factor? I'd feel differently if I were regularly tasting them or testing high voltage/current. I also still love my lead based solder so that probably says enough!
A problem is mostly on soft PVC used in the home or lab spaces: such as wire insulation, shower curtains, tarps etc., for buried pipes and conduits, the PVC is typically without plasticizer.
In some places, they use PVC plumbing for drinking water. I don't think it's that much of a problem.
This is a good point, the only dilemma you face is whether to keep the potential exposure to yourself and others in your lab or home while the material is there, or make it the government's problem.
No, replacing perfectly working things just produces waste.
Many: polyester, polyprophylene, teflon, tefzel, etc., what made PVC popular is per pound, was the lowest cost to manufacture; however decades later the cost manufacture alternatives are almost as cheap, if the manufacturers can offset retooling costs to use the new material.
... Not sure what other alternatives there are to replace good old PVC.