Say No to Vinyl Shower Curtains and Yes to Health
By Michele Kadison
Opening up the plastic wrapper on a vinyl shower curtain gives anyone who has a nose a first toxic whiff, which should be enough to make you run the other way. Conventional vinyl shower curtains contain a chemical additive known as DEHP, a carcinogenic substance that has been purported to cause hormonal problems in humans. Added to plastic to make curtains more supple, this substance creates a high amount of what is called “off gassing,” which are volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are instantly released into the air.
A study done by the Center for Health, Environment, & Justice in Virginia, which tested the chemical components of five different sealed plastic shower curtains showed that they were made of a high concentrations of phthalates, which contain DEHP. Testing showed that the samples released 108 VOCs, many of which stayed in the air for a month. Several of the VOCs that were released are recognized by the EPA as known toxins, such as toluene, ethylbenzene, phenol, methyl isobutyl ketone, xyloene, acetophenone, and cumene. Exposure to these substances creates the potential for nerve and liver damage along with complications to the respiratory and reproductive systems.
In a report released by the Los Angeles Times, Kmart, Sears, and Target are now discontinuing plastic curtains containing PVC, which poses a very strong warning to the industries producing them.
PVC Shower Curtain Alternatives
The best way to avoid the release of toxins in your bathroom is to install glass shower doors, which also raises the value of your home.
Buy organic cotton shower curtains that can be easily washed by machine. Another good fabric option is curtains made of bamboo, which is a natural anti-microbial fiber.
If you must buy plastic, look for shower curtains that do not contain PVC. If you are unsure of which to buy, ask a salesperson or look carefully at the label, which should reveal the components used in manufacture.
