A killer in the bathroom?

You either love or hate that plastic smell when you open the packaging of a new shower curtain.  Have you ever wondered what that smell really is? Most curtains are typically made from PVC, vinyl or polyester, all made by chemical processing. Aside from the various environmental problems with plastic manufacturing, let′s look at your health as the consumer. 

The moment you open the packaging of a new shower curtain, toxic vapours (volatile organic compounds or VOCs) are released into the air. Air which you are constantly breathing in.  The air quality can be measured to see if the VOCs are at an acceptable level. Your bathroom is quite small compared to other rooms, so the levels can become more concentrated here.   

The Center for Health, Environment and Justice (CHEJ) have published a report on VOCs and shower curtains.  They found that some types were more than 16 times over the recommended levels (USA) and remained at this level for more than one week, lowering over the next months.  Some released more than 100 different VOCs into the air, all associated with health concerns like respiration, reproduction, nervous system, liver damage and cancer. 

PVC and vinyl are one of the worst materials to use in the home health wise.  Healthier alternatives are available, glass doors would be a better option all round and more hygienic.  Alternatively materials like EVA plastic are a good eco substitute for plastics.  

Source: http://www.chej.org/showercurtainreport.

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