When is Vinyl Not PVC?

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Alicia Voorhies

Saturday, December 26, 2009

There is a growing awareness of PVC’s toxic nature, but the quest to avoid it is daunting. In order to successfully stay away from such a pervasive plastic, we need to take a closer look at what it is and where it’s found.

Common Uses for PVC

PVC is everywhere and can be difficult to avoid. It’s commonly used in bath toys, teethers, baby bibs, pool toys, children’s playground ball pits, dog toys, shower curtains and in almost all non-slip bath mats. And that’s just for starters . . .

Is “Vinyl” the Same as PVC?

Vinyl is commonly used as a nickname for polyvinyl chloride (PVC). It can generally be assumed that a product is made with PVC when the term “vinyl” is used to describe it. This is a red flag so before buying, the product should be investigated further.

The Healthy Building Network offers an extremely informative article on PVC. They explain that in chemistry, the term “vinyl” actually has a broader meaning, encompassing a range of different thermoplastic chemical compounds. In addition to PVC, “vinyls” may also include:

* Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA)
* Polyethylene Vinyl Acetate (PEVA) a copolymer of polyethylene and EVA

EVA and PEVA are commonly used in baby teethers, bibs, inner water-proof lining of reusable food containers (lunch bags and sandwich wraps), shower curtains, shock absorber in tennis shoes, Crocs brand shoes, padding in equipment for various sports such as ski boots, and even biomedical engineering applications as a drug delivery device used within the body.

What Makes PVC Different From EVA and PEVA?

PVC is different because of the addition of chlorine. Chlorine is a major health concern associated with PVC, but it isn’t the only problem. Earth911 discusses the full effects PVC, and the facts are stunning:

* Due to its chlorinated makeup, the entire life cycle of vinyl is responsible for the formation of more dioxin than any other single product. Dioxin is a well-known carcinogen and can affect the reproductive, immune, endocrine and neurological systems.
* Chlorine production for PVC results in the release of over 200,000 pounds of mercury to air, water and land each year.
* To make vinyl products flexible, controversial plasticizers known as phthalates are used, accounting for nearly 90 percent of total phthalate consumption. This translates into more than five million tons used for vinyl every year.
* Lead is often added to vinyl construction products as a stabilizer to extend its life. It is estimated that 45,000 tons of lead each year are released into the environment during its disposal by incineration.

How Do We Avoid PVC?

Take an extra minute to investigate the materials used in products before you buy. You’ll need to assume that the term “vinyl” means PVC until you’ve been able to verify the details with manufacturer. The Center for Health, Environment and Justice (CHEJ) recommends the avoidance of PVC and the alternative use of EVA and PEVA as safer substitutes to PVC in their campaign, PVC: The Poison Plastic.

>> Download CHEJ’s Pass Up the Poison Plastic PVC-Free Guide
>> Shop for PVC-free products at The Soft Landing.

Alicia Voorhies is a wife, mom and nurse turned entrepreneur. Her journey to find safe alternatives in baby feeding gear lead her to found The Soft Landing, LLC. She and her family now devote themselves to sharing their findings and helping parents navigate the endless sea of toxic plastic.

The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and not necessarily those of Healthy Child Healthy World.