Lena Elisseeva
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Rain, rain, go away, come again another day. It's the mantra of cooped-up kids and exasperated parents everywhere, but it's pretty hard to avoid rain in spring. Rain gear is a must-have for kids across the country, but a lot of those rain boots and slickers contain PVC (polyvinyl chlorate)—which could include lots of toxins and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Many major retailers, including Wal Mart and Ikea, have phased out PVC shower curtains over concerns related to harmful VOCs and other toxins, but PVC raincoats and rain boots still pack store shelves.
While it's a little daunting trying to find PVC-free gear, it's not impossible.
Slickers
Hatley's products are 100 percent polyurethane, while Mountain Equipment Co-Op jackets are nylon with a polyurethane coating and a DWR (durable water repellant) finish. Lands' End's line of rain slickers—including the Little Kids' Solid Rain Slicker and the Big Kids' Print Rain Slicker—feature a polyester shell coated with polyurethane.
Your first thought may be the toxins associated with polyurethane foam, but this isn't the same deal. The foam is often used in furniture and treated with toxic fire retardants. Fully reacted polyurethane used for rain gear doesn't require a fire retardant and it's inert—which means it's stable and won't release any harmful gases. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration doesn't consider polyurethane a cancer threat, so it's a much safer and healthier alternative for your children (and you too).
An alternative to polyurethane is polyester. Patagonia has gone a different route with a 100 percent recycled polyester raincoat topped by a DWR finish, which allows for a breathable finish.
Rain Boots
When it comes to rain boots, my number one rule is it can't smell—if I pick up a boot in a store and it smells like chemicals it means I'm breathing in toxic gasses (probably VOCs) and I don't want that anywhere near my body. But finding PVC-free rain boots can be tough. "Rubber" on labels quite often means synthetic rubber, which can be PVC.Kidorable makes eco-friendly natural rubber rain boots—with kid-friendly themes, like pirates and mermaids. (Just don't go for their matching raincoats and bags, which are made of PVC.)
CWDKids also offers PVC-free rubber girls rain boots in oh-so-cute green with white daisies (they also have a matching cotton-lined polyurethane raincoat and nylon umbrella).
One last tip: When you're out buying a new raincoat or boots for your kids, don't take "green" rain gear at face value. Some so-called green brands are actually recycled PVC, and many recyclable boots—number 3—are also PVC.
Cara Smusiak writes on behalf of Naturally Savvy.com about how to live a more natural, organic and green lifestyle.
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