Is Your Shower Curtain Toxic?

Is your shower curtain poisoning you? A new study has been 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" is enough to make you want to take baths or install glass doors.

The report says "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 and found 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.