by Daniela Swider
Well, I guess people with
sensitivities did. They could never "stomach" that new vinyl shower curtain
smell. The rest of us, however, didn't suspect that the unassuming vinyl shower
curtains and liners sold at retailers such as Bed, Bath & Beyond, Kmart,
Sears, Target and Wal-Mart came loaded with toxins. The media recently exploded
with reports, according to which the new vinyl (a.k.a. PVC) curtain smell can
carry with it high concentrations of toxic chemicals that may cause respiratory
irritation, damage to the central nervous and reproductive systems, liver and
kidneys, nausea, headaches and loss of coordination. According to a study
conducted by the Center for Health, Environment & Justice new vinyl shower
curtains contain high concentrations of phthalates (suspected carcinogen and
reproductive toxin) and organotins as well as measurable quantities of as many
as 108 volatile organic compounds (VOCs), some of which persisted for nearly a
month! 7 of those chemicals - toluene, ethyl benzene, methyl isobutyl ketone,
xylene, acetophenone and cumene - have been identified by the EPA as hazardous
air pollutants.
- Use non-vinyl shower
curtains. Fabric alternatives are widely available
at retailers across the US
and
Canada. If you chose to go organic, we at www.HealthyHome.com offer a shower
curtain made of 75% organic cotton and 25% natural, untreated and undyed linen
that you can find here. We are looking into adding more safe options.
- Vote with your wallet.
Retailers are already phasing out vinyl (PVC) shower curtains but nothing will
motivate them more than the consumers refusing to buy vinyl products and
creating demand for safer alternatives.
In case you didn't know, PVC is not just in shower curtains. It is in many products ranging from cables to apparel, upholstery (that "new car smell" anyone?), pipes, flooring, roofing, siding, hoses, packaging, medical and office supplies, baby, children's and adult toys (not that any of us use the latter), and many others. Particularly dangerous are the soft or flexible reincarnations of PVC. They are the ones that contain the most unstable (volatile) toxins and as a result are responsible for the dangerous smell products made of soft PVC emit. Generally speaking, PVC is cheap, durable and easy to produce, which is why it is considered the most "valuable" product in the chemical industry (in terms of revenue generated). Those advantages of PVC may lead one to assume that it is a good all-around material. Not so much. PVC is nothing but trouble cradle to cradle - its manufacturing causes pollution, its use is dangerous and there are no good ways to recycle it due to the many different toxic additives used to soften and stabilize it. So, buyer beware!
Top image by Alfred Hitchcock/Janet Leigh.
Some time before, I needed to buy a building for my corporation but I did not have enough money and could not buy anything. Thank God my sister adviced to get the loan from trustworthy creditors. Therefore, I acted so and was satisfied with my credit loan.
Posted by: KarinVINSON30 | May 22, 2011 at 05:31 PM
I just have to agree that people must be given enough awareness regarding the harm that this products might possibly bring.
Posted by: Shutters Perth | February 16, 2011 at 08:31 AM
It surprises me mildly that these products are allowed to be sold to the American public. I wish people were more well informed before they expose themselves to the poisons that these products emit.
Posted by: Ajlouny | August 09, 2009 at 11:34 PM