When you buy a new shower curtain and open the package, that "new plastic" smell is actually toxic gases that have built up in the packaging and are being released into the air in your home. Some people hang up the shower curtain and turn on a fan to air out the smell, while others hang their shower curtain outside until the smell is gone. This helps, but many of those chemical gases are detected for days, weeks and sometimes longer. Washing the shower curtain is a bad idea, since heat and detergents could release toxins more quickly. (Always follow care instructions when you're cleaning plastics or vinyl.) But not all shower curtains that contain vinyl are toxic. Vinyl is used with a lot of other chemicals to create a number of compounds. The culprit is polyvinyl chloride (PVC)—dubbed The Plastic Poison—and PVC is often listed as "vinyl" on packaging, making this whole issue a little complicated. As a rule of thumb, unless you absolutely know a shower curtain is not PVC, don't buy it.

Read more about 5 places plastic is hiding in your home In 2008, three researchers examined PVC shower curtains sold at five major retailers: Bed, Bath & Beyond, Kmart, Sears, Target and Wal-Mart. In their final report, Volatile Vinyl: The New Shower Curtain's Chemical Smell, the researchers found that the shower curtains "contain avoidable toxic chemicals including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), phthalates, organotins and metals." The study found that PVC shower curtains can release up to 108 VOCs, and seven of the compounds detected in the study are on the EPA's list of hazardous air pollutants. VOCs can damage the liver, central nervous system, respiratory system, reproductive system, and can contribute to developmental damage. Some are suspected or known to cause cancer in humans. On a day-to-day level, they can cause eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches, nausea and loss of coordination. Toluene and ethylbenzene, two of the chemicals released by the shower curtains tested, are on California's Proposition 65 list of chemicals known by the State to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity.

65, businesses must not "knowingly and intentionally" expose people to these chemicals without giving "clear and reasonable warning." High levels of phthalates were also found in the shower curtains examined—which is a problem because phthalates are a pretty unstable chemical. Phthalates migrate in the shower curtain itself, eventually making their way to the surface. When they evaporate into the air, they cling to dust in your home. Formal Dress Shops Kansas City MoPhthalates are linked to reproductive problems, including premature labor in pregnant women, early breast development in girls, and sperm damage in boys.Patio Furniture Black Wicker The study also found that some of the chemicals lingered in the air for more than four weeks, which is a long time to be breathing in toxins. Vinyl Flooring Metal Trim

And the concentrations were also a concern. The total VOCs detected were 16 times the U.S. Green Building Council's recommended guidelines. Researchers did not look at the effect of heat and humidity on the shower curtains, but the authors did admit it is likely the heat and humidity would increase the levels of VOCs and other toxins being released into the air-making your showers all the more toxic. Many retailers offer PVC-free shower curtains, but they aren't phasing them out completely. Look for shower curtains made with PEVA, or polyethylene vinyl acetate, a stable vinyl product that is not associated with any health problems and does not contain any hazardous air pollutants. Where can you get it? Many of Ikea's shower curtains are made with PEVA. (Ikea banned PVC in 1991, so it's a great place to shop for shower curtains.) Read more about toxins in your garden hose If you want to completely eliminate the health concerns associated with vinyl and plastics, you can install a rain showerhead and an organic cotton shower curtain, without a liner.

Rain showerheads drop water straight down without too much pressure, eliminating splash. (And they're oh-so-calming; try it once and you may never want to go back!) If you can't live without a strong spray, your best option is to install glass doors rather than having a shower curtain. It's a little pricy, but consider it an investment in your health. [Editor's Note: If you want to learn more about dangerous chemicals in women's health products and how to avoid them, click here to sign up for Naturally Savvy’s Women's Health Get Healthy Challenge.]Vallabh Engghello sir, we are a leading manufacturer of all.kinds of screw barrel and all plastic processing spares for all plastics processing machinery. we are ahmedabad located manufacturer. At present we have more than 350 highlywe would like to make a good and long lasting business relationship with you, so if you need any kind of our help feel free to contact me. Aaron Herc NolanAlice QinHello my friend,how are you?

This is Alice from China,we are manufactuer of screw barrel for more than 18 years,May I know what is your screw diameter so that I can send you our updated price list for your view? Jay-C Landscaping ConsultantsLandscapingSpice AllureKandy Riverine Country HouseHotelPlastics in Colombo, Sri LankaSSP SEE-THRU Vinyl Curtain Material In 12 Strips per foot SEE-THRU Vinyl Curtain Material is .120"thick X 12"widePosted on July 24, 2013 by There have been 0 comments Throw a stone and it will probably bounce of a piece of plastic or two. We are surrounded by a world of man-made, chemically enhanced furniture, toys, utensils, clothing, bath supplies and so much more. Nowadays it is not only necessary to research and diligently hand-pick our food, it is also necessary to educate ourselves on the toxicity of our next nonfood purchase as well. One of the more immediate concerns is the powerful off-gassing of PVC (polyvinyl chloride-referred to as ‘vinyl’), especially used for production of inexpensive shower curtains and liners.

Shower Curtain Caution - Can’t You Smell that Smell? Virginia based Center for Health, Environment and Justice (CHEJ) as well as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) both found significant off-gassing of these tongue twisting toxins: phthalates, toluene, ethylbenzene, phenol, methyl isobutyl ketone, xylene, acetophenone and cumene from shower curtains bought at five major chain stores. There were up to 108 VOC’s (volatile organic compounds) leached into the air from one of the curtains that remained airborne for almost one month. The inhalation of these toxins (yup, it’s in that new shower curtain smell), over time, can cause anything from headaches and nausea to liver, central nervous system, respiratory and reproductive problems. According to this statement by Barbara Spark, the indoor air program coordinator for the EPA's Pacific Southwest region, "The EPA does not regulate indoor air, period...we have not been given that authority by Congress." It is up to you to do your own regulation.

PEVA (polyethylene vinyl acetate) and EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) are the attempted “answers” to toxic shower curtain (and other plastic) choices. These formulas are not perfect. They are made from petrochemicals (petroleum and natural gas) which is still a fossil fuel pollutant but they contain less VOC’s than PVC’s (say that 10x fast!). PEVA/EVA choices are chlorine-free yet they are still full of untested chemicals that make them only semi-green. But the absence of chlorine has been shown to considerably reduce harmful off-gassing. Investing in a toxic-free shower curtain (or other plastic choice) can be essential to your and your family’s future health. If it must be plastic, avoid the word ‘vinyl’ unless it also shows a PVC-free, PEVA or EVA identification. It may be a few shillings more but definitely worth your safer health. Also, anti-microbial, antibacterial and/or anti-mildew are invitations for more unknown chemicals. There really is no need for these additives if folks would get off their butts and simply clean their shower curtains now and again.