PVC shower curtains will do that to you
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A new study was released by the US-based Center for Health, Environment & Justice (CHEJ) and the Environmental Defence and the Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA) titled "Volatile Vinyl: The New Shower Curtain’s Chemical Smell."
The study claims "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."
"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."
Scientists purchased five shower curtains at Bed Bath & Beyond, Kmart, Sears, Target and Wal-Mart. Findings:
- 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.
Canada's Environmental Defence wants governments to:
- 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.
We think it might be a good idea to look at getting a new one from cotton or rubber; no doubt all that heat and steam brings out the best in it.
Student Doctor Green reviewed the study and notes that the level of VOCs drops of significantly with time, and suggests that I should uphold my "self proclaimed idea that "the key to sustainability is to simply use less." If you need a new shower curtain then you shouldn't buy one made from PVC, but an old one has probably lost that new curtain smell and can do little more harm.
From ::Environmental Defense.
Download the report ::PDF here
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