From CBC News:
Toxic shower curtainsJune 12, 2008
The Canadian Press
"The smell of plastic shower curtains may be hazardous to your health, according to a new study.
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) shower curtains may release into the air 108 toxic chemicals, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), phthalates and organotins, accounting for a smell that can cause adverse health problems affecting the lungs, central nervous system, liver and kidneys, suggests the study by the U.S.-based Centre for Health, Environment and Justice.
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) shower curtains may release into the air 108 toxic chemicals, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), phthalates and organotins, accounting for a smell that can cause adverse health problems affecting the lungs, central nervous system, liver and kidneys, suggests the study by the U.S.-based Centre for Health, Environment and Justice.
A spokeswoman for Bed Bath and Beyond in Canada said Thursday the retailer is aware of the study's findings and is moving away from PVC curtains.
The study's authors are calling on Ottawa to ban PVC curtains and force manufacturers and retailers to instead sell cotton ones.
"The study results speak for themselves," said Theresa McClenaghan, executive director for the law association. "These are extremely high results for the initial period for sure, for indoor air."
The study's authors are calling on Ottawa to ban PVC curtains and force manufacturers and retailers to instead sell cotton ones.
"The study results speak for themselves," said Theresa McClenaghan, executive director for the law association. "These are extremely high results for the initial period for sure, for indoor air."
The study tested five brands of shower curtains and found more than 100 volatile organic compounds were released into the air over a 28-day period. Each curtain contained some chemicals already banned in toys in some U.S. states and the European Union. In Canada, they're simply listed as *toxic.*"
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Is it just me or is it time for all of us to not rely on so many petroleum based products?
I read the term "toxic" and I can truthfuly say that I am deeply concerned.
I personally do not have a *plastic* shower curtain in my home but I wonder how many people do and is having one causing harm to your home environment?
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7 comments:
I just read this 5 minutes ago in the Globe. Ikea is the first to Yank them off the shelves
Yikes! That smell always worried me...
Great. Of course I do have a plastic shower curtain, a CHEAP one, and guess where it is? In my son's/daughter's bathroom.
Ugh. Thanks for the warning. I'm starting to think anything plastic is lethal and evil.
We have glass doors now but years ago had plastic. I remember the "smell".
Gish, yes, I can remember the funny smell. Fortunately we have solid shower doors now. However, I read somewhere that there's a possible danger in plastic mineral water bottles. Are they made from the same plastic with toxic chemicals?
Ewwwwww... thanks for the heads-up! What other options are there? What kind of water repellant do the cloth curtains use??
Well, if IKEA has pulled them, I'm going to check out what their options are. I'm off to go shopping!
(thanks for the excuse :-P )
What next? Is everything toxic?? I read this in our montreal gazette and at first thought "oh, just another scare" . Then I read the article thoroughly. I agree with you - I think it's time we got rid of all these petroleum-based products!
Like the pic of the shower curtain - it's really cute!
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