Shower Curtain Smell? Yup, Toxic.

Ever smelled a new shower curtain? According to the Center for Health, Environment and Justice, a Virginia-based advocacy group, that smell is toxic:

Vinyl shower curtains release over 100 toxic chemicals into the air in people's bathrooms, including known carcinogens and reproductive toxins, according to a new report calling for the ban of Polyvinyl chloride in bath curtains and liners.

The laboratory tests of five new PVC shower curtains, released Thursday, found 108 different volatile organic compounds were released
into the air over a 28-day period, including off-gassing above the recommended level in the United States for seven days.

These compounds can cause respiratory irritation, headaches, nausea and damage to the liver, kidney and the central nervous system. Some VOCs are also suspected or known to cause cancer in humans.

http://www.canada.com/topics/bodyandhealth/story.html?id=91e2a62a-fa6a-4f1a-85bb-f6d58357d713


I feel like this is one of those incredible things that might not have ever been discovered because no one's thinking about the chemicals involved in shower curtains besides the manufacturers.

Also, I freakin loved that smell.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
I hate new car smell...
This reminds of our hose discovery. We just bought a new garden hose and on the package it says "HOSE CONTAINS LEAD - DO NOT DRINK FROM HOSE - WASH HANDS AFTER USE!" (This is all hidden by the actual hose when you buy it.)
So apparently almost all garden hoses have lead in them. Isn't that weird?
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
Um, let's not slip the dogs of panic just yet. This group tested ONE shower curtain, their testing was not verified by an independent lab, and was subject to a variety of other problems. See "Studies Gone Wild? Death by Shower Curtain"

http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=5057141

I'm skeptical because PVC has been used for so long and is so ubiquitous. I'm not saying I'd be comfortable living in a house built out of the stuff, but I think this is absolutely a panic story. My local news ran this story as if you had these shower curtains, better make sure you have your funeral plans all set.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
I can't stand the smell of a new shower curtain. When I get a new one, I unfold it and air it out for a day or two in a large room, and then I put it in the bathroom. Otherwise, the bad odor stays in the bathroom for weeks.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
Go cotton shower curtains! If they get a bit of mold, firstly, don't leave them bunched up on one side, spread them out! Secondly, you can always throw them in the wash with some bleach. I used to like the vinyl smell, too, but I'll fight a little bit of mold over incipient brain rot any day.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
yea i was lucky enough to get those fancy doors.

did anyone really think that smell was beneficial to our health? anything that smells like chemicals USUALLY isn't recommended to be huffed.

surprised? no.

@ peaches: i guess that's why i was always told not to drink out of the hose..
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
We bought a woven nylon shower curtain for two dollars more than the cost of the disposable PVC variety. We've been using it for three years and just throw it in the wash when it gets that "not so fresh" smell.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
I've always liked new shower curtain smell... and puppy breath. No I have never used illegal drugs, model glue, or canned air.(but I did smell my ditto paper when the teacher gave it to me still slightly damp from the ditto machine.)
Everyone who is at least 26 years old nod and smile because you got those purple and while ditto papers and YOU sniffed them. You also probably avoided taking the one the teacher's licked finger touched.:)
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
Why buy vinyl, when there are shower curtains made of fabric? Take a look at www.ilmaofsweden.com. Love them all! The designer, Annie, is new in the business so help her get a good start by ordering her beautiful shower curtains.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
Login to comment.
Click here to access all of this post's 24 comments




Email This Post to a Friend
"Shower Curtain Smell? Yup, Toxic."

Separate multiple emails with a comma. Limit 5.

 

Success! Your email has been sent!

close window
X

This website uses cookies.

This website uses cookies to improve user experience. By using this website you consent to all cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

I agree
 
Learn More