PVC Free Bath Mats — Detox Me Tuesday

Sep 15

Sep 15 PVC Free Bath Mats

A friend asked me to look this up about a year or so ago and I actually had trouble finding an affordable, non PVC bath mat for her little one to enjoy bath time with. Now it’s my turn to do the research so I thought I’d share what I found.

Why non PVC?

PVC = polyvinyl chloride (vinyl)
PVC is an inexpensive type of plastic that comes in many forms from flexible (think shower curtains and bath mats) to rigid (think piping and siding.)
Healthy Child, Healthy World named PVC the most toxic plastic to children. Why? It has been linked to the rise of chronic illnesses such as cancer, asthma and developmental disabilities.

“Phthalates, which are added to make PVC soft and flexible, are released from these PVC products and pose avoidable public health risks. In fact, over 90% of all phthalates are used in vinyl plastic. These phthalates have been linked to health problems on the rise in children. Congress has banned a number of phthalates in children’s toys, yet they are widespread in PVC found in schools. A growing body of scientific evidence has found that toxic phthalates released by PVC products are released into dust and the air are entering our bodies. They’ve been found in indoor air and dust, breast milk, and are highest in children ages 6 to 11, and in women.” Source

Phthalates are a known endocrine disrupter that can disrupt reproductive systems as well as imbalance hormones.
PVC uses about 40% of the world’s chlorine to be created; therefore, many dioxins are released.
Dioxins are known as a persistent organic pollutant (POP) and can build up in the food chain from industrial processes (mainly combustion). They have been linked to cancers, reproductive issues and immune problems.
When PVC is created it releases dioxins and this can build up in our world in many ways. You know that new shower curtain or bath mat smell? That is most likely the off gassing of these chemicals.
Here is the non PVC bath mat we just got for Benjamin that we are loving. Already got one of these. The next area to check is your shower curtain liner. Here is the one we have.