Vinyl Shower Curtains Release Toxic Chemicals

Vinyl Shower Curtains Release Toxic Chemicals

New report shows as many as 100 chemicals released from PVC shower
curtains

TORONTO, June 12 /CNW/ - As many as 100 toxic chemicals associated with
adverse health effects are released into the air from polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
shower curtains. These chemicals make up that "new shower curtain smell"
unique to PVC vinyl shower curtains and shower curtain liners, according to
"Volatile Vinyl: The New Shower Curtain's Chemical Smell." The new study is
released today by the US-based Center for Health, Environment & Justice (CHEJ)
and in Canada by Environmental Defence and the Canadian Environmental Law
Association (CELA).
Though ubiquitous in homes around the world, PVC shower curtains contain
many harmful chemicals, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs),
phthalates and organotins. Toxic chemical off-gassing from PVC shower curtains
may contribute to respiratory irritation, damage to the central nervous
system, liver and kidney, nausea, headaches and loss of coordination.
"The new shower curtain smell may be toxic to your health," said Michael
Schade, report co-author and CHEJ PVC Campaign Coordinator. "Vinyl shower
curtains are contaminating the air we breathe and we need the Canadian
government to take serious action on the use of PVC in consumer products,"
said Dr. Rick Smith, Executive Director of Environmental Defence.
"Combined exposure to the multiple chemicals released from vinyl shower
curtains is cause for concern," said Aaron Freeman, Policy Director,
Environmental Defence, "especially for children as they are more sensitive to
toxic chemicals."
The five PVC shower curtains tested in the United State by CHEJ were
purchased from Bed Bath & Beyond, Kmart, Sears, Target and Wal-Mart. One brand
sold at Bed Bath & Beyond was found in Canadian stores; however, most major
department stores in Canada carry some variety of vinyl shower curtain. Key
findings include:

<<
- 108 different volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were released into
the air from a shower curtain over a 28 day period;
- All five curtains tested in phase one contained di(2-ethyl hexyl)
phthalate (DEHP) and diisononyl phthalate (DINP). These chemicals and
additional phthalates are banned in children's toys in California,
Washington, and the European Union. Canada has listed only DEHP as a
'toxic' substance, and recommended but not implemented a ban in
children's products;
- Several chemicals found in the curtains (ethylbenzene, methyl
isobutyl ketone, cyclohexanone, and DINP), are considered a human
health concern under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, but
are not regulated.
>>

"Not only are vinyl products contaminating our indoor air, but they
release toxic dioxins during manufacturing and incineration," said Theresa
McClenaghan, CELA's Executive Director. "The federal government has a window
of opportunity to proactively regulate these chemicals with a major Bill
before Parliament to amend the federal Hazardous Products Act."
The results of the Volatile Vinyl report indicate a clear path for
regulatory reform in Canada. Environmental Defence and CELA recommend that the
federal government take the following steps to protect Canadians' health and
the environment:

<<
- Ban PVC in shower curtains;
- Require that manufacturers and retailers switch to safer products,
such as cotton shower curtains;
- Expand labeling rules to help consumers make safer choices;
- Declare the chemicals emitted from PVC in consumer products
(including toluene, cyclohexanone, methyl isobutyl ketone, phenol,
ethylbenzene, DEHP, and DINP) as hazardous indoor air pollutants and
regulate their use in consumer products.
>>

The two groups also urge provincial governments across Canada to take
similar steps to protect the health of Canadians.
While waiting for the government to take action, consumers should avoid
purchasing shower curtains, or other everyday products, made with PVC, and
should not buy products that are not labeled for their chemical content.
The full report, Volatile Vinyl: The New Shower Curtain's Chemical Smell
is a free download on Environmental Defence's Toxic Nation web site
(www.toxicnation.ca) and the CELA web site (www.cela.ca).
To download broadcast quality b-roll, high resolution photos, and other
resources visit the Center for Health, Environment and Justice web site
(www.chej.org/showercurtainreport).

About Environmental Defence (www.environmentaldefence.ca): Environmental
Defence protects the environment and human health. We research solutions. We
educate. We go to court when we have to. All in order to ensure clean air,
clean water and thriving ecosystems nationwide, and to bring a halt to
Canada's contribution to climate change.

About CELA: (www.cela.ca) The Canadian Environmental Law Association
works on law and policy issues, in the public interest. We represent
individual citizens and groups in the courts and we advocate for comprehensive
laws to protect and enhance public health and environmental quality across
Canada.

 

Thanks for posting this. I stayed at a hotel recently and as soon as I walked in the room, I could smell this really strong chemically odor--it was the plastic shower curtain. I kept the bathroom door closed!

We just switched to wool and organic cotton mattresses, with hard wood frames, because of all the off-gassing that occurs with traditional beds (it's like breathing in toxins every night). Has made an immediate difference with our breathing, allergies, respiratory issues.

Wish we as a society would spend more time working on changing these environmental things we can actually control, rather than wasting time trying to "save the planet" through dubious ventures.

 

OSimpson, SilenceDogood99--

Read the Organic Trade Association's (OTA) web site for info regarding organic mattress and organic bedding. Check out the News link tabs. There is also a Resource Links tab which is great "organic fodder" to read late nights. Check out the Directories tab links also.

Alot of informative info on Organic Foods and Lifestyle Issues. Web site info is below--Enjoy!

www.ota.com (Organic Trade Association's site/info.)

Foodie:indiff2: (Good night)

 

Well, glad to see you're FINALLY coming around Silence. Afterall, whether it's the chemical or petroleum industry or any industry dependent on energy and impacting the environment, directly or indirectly, doesn't really matter. It all rolls up into the big picture - the environment. We have only one planet earth to share.

As for the shower curtain, we never use the plastic liners. They're treated with additional chemicals to prevent mold and mildew.

 

Silence, where did you find the mattress? We're tired if coil spring matresses and are stronlgy leaning towards select comfort matresses as we don't want to go the spring way anymore...

 

Good choice, KTDid. But nonsense to "finally." As I have said repeatedly, we are ardent environmentalists and have been for years. What we resist is the fearmongering and unscientific "feel good" policies to "save the planet" from climate catastrophe. We can no more save the planet than we can destroy it, but we can and should be good stewards.

Rather than chasing some elusive goal and try to change that which we cannot control (the climate), we should be extremely diligent to safeguard our food supply, water supply, etc. as well as cleaning up the environment. Alas, there are more toxins inside most of our homes--and in the food bought at most stores and in restaurants--than outside.

 

We have a fabric shower curtain liner like the nice hotels have. Not only do they not off-gas chemicals, they are easier to wash and don't get stiff and crackly. Should last longer, too. $9.99-12.99 at Target.

 

Hey Brassy, we bought from Savvy Rest. http://www.savvyrest.com/

I hate the expense, more than you know, but my wife convinced me that since the warranty is for 20 years, the annual cost isn't so bad

But knowing that our family isn't breathing in chemicals or formaldehyde while sleeping is worth a lot. When we first brought it home, we could smell the real wood frame and that was cool. As someone who gets really warm at night, I was concerned about the wool topper and pillows, but they are GREAT and stay nice and cool. If you want more info, I'll put you in touch with my wife

 

The "fearmongering" you mention may actually educate the consumer to make environmentally sound choices in their day to day lives just as you have for your family. When consumers make responsible (healthy and environmentally safe) choices, businesses will eventually listen and follow accordingly.

I'm astounded each time I walk through the aisle of cleaning products at the grocery store and past the lawn products at the garden store. I nearly choke every time. The products smell toxic. A majority of these products contain poison information on the label and here we are, as consumers, using them with little thought to its impact on the environment.

I'm pleased however, to see more green products on the shelves with prices more competitive than in the past. Even though I do not use these products, consumers have choices for a cleaner environment. So no, I am not preaching to the choir - just my .02 cents

Off my soapbox

 

I don't think people associate the strong smell with toxicity. For most people it doesn't occur to them that a strong odor is a bad thing. Love that pine fresh scent! Love that new car smell! Gee, your hair smells terrific!

 

So you advocate fearmongering rather than just telling the truth?! Okay then.