Plastic shower curtains made with Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) are toxic to your health. You may have noticed a strong smell when you opened a new vinyl shower curtain or had a vinyl shower curtain in your hotel room.
Vinyl Shower Curtains Release 108 VOCs
A study showed these PVC shower curtains release as many as 108 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) some of which cause developmental damage as well as damage to the liver and central nervous, respiratory and reproductive systems.
In addition to VOCs, the shower curtains were also found to contain phthalates and metals. The study found some of these chemicals lingered in the air 28 days after a curtain was hung. Clearly, this is a significant contributor to indoor air pollution that can be easily avoided.
Your best bet is to look for shower curtains that are labeled vinyl-free or PVC-free or ones made of organic cotton.
So what about other products made with PVC? You should try to avoid those as well. These include toys, kitchen items and more.
Sources: Volatile Vinyl: The New Shower Curtain’s Chemical Smell. Sponsored by the Center for Health, Environment and Justice’s (CHEJ) PVC Campaign and the Work Group for Safe Markets.
Most people have never heard of Kapok (pronounced KAY-pock), but it’s been used for many years in pillows, cushions, and mattresses. Since it is water resistant, it was also used in life preservers before synthetic fibers. People are curious to know many things about Kapok like where Kapok comes from, and whether Kapok is non-toxic, comfortable, and washable. They are also interested in how Kapok compares to other natural fibers like cotton. What is Kapok?
High-quality air purifiers are an excellent way to remove VOCs like formaldehyde from your indoor air. However, you may wonder if there are other ways to get rid of indoor air VOCs without using an air purifier. Maybe you don't like the look of an air purifier or perhaps you only need air purification for a short time during a renovation or remodeling job. Now, there's a solution for you. You can use the EnviroKlenz HVAC air filter for fresher air without an air purifier.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that most Americans spend up to 90 percent of their time indoors, so indoor air quality is vitally important to your health. Is your personal environment tainted with polluted air that could be affecting your health? And if your indoor air is polluted how can you prevent & control this indoor air pollution?
A group of man-made chemicals called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been around since the 1940's, making our lives easier through non-stick and stain-resistant products. All that convenience comes at a price though because PFAS do not break down and can accumulate over time in the environment and in your body. Researchers have evidence that exposure to PFAS can cause adverse health effects. You may have read or heard about two of the most extensively produced of these chemicals, PFOA & PFOS. Here's what you need to know about the chemicals PFOA, PFOS, and other PFAS.