Posted on 06/13/2008 11:49:37 AM PDT by teacherwoes
SEATTLE - It may the last thing on your mind when you get ready for a shower, but that new shower curtain may bring some unwanted friends into your home.
A study found that more than 100 chemicals are released by some curtains, and some are at levels that violate indoor air safety standards.
"I think what's most surprising was the amount of chemicals that were released into the air when you bring a new shower curtain home," said Ivy Sager-Rosenthal of Washington Toxics Coalition.
"Well there is a range of volatile aromatic hydrocarbons that are coming off. These compounds are basically petroleum based products that are used in the manufacture of the material and they're out-gassing from the product," said Dr. Stephen Gilbert PhD, UW Assoc. Professor/Toxicologist.
Toxicologists say the best example of outgassing is that wave of chemical odor that washes over you when you open a new vinyl curtain.
And they claim that in the confines of a small, warm and humid bathroom, there is even more dangerous out-gassing going on.
The vinyl industry however, says something else is going on. The Vinyl Institute says the report is a classic horror scene based on fear, not facts.
"This report is simple scare-mongering. It is a blatant attempt by a well-known pressure group to manipulate consumers and retailers into thinking that shower curtains pose a danger, when they don't. It offers no evidence of actual harm," said Greg Bocchi, Pres., The Vinyl Institute.
The industry claims vinyl shower curtains are durable and easy to clean.
But the Center for Health, Environment and Justice insists the curtains pose an unnecessary threat and says there are many non-vinyl alternatives on the market, including some cheaper than vinyl.
So it can be difficult to get a clear picture of what is happening in your shower. One group says trust your nose to tell you something is wrong, while the vinyl industry says trust its scientific studies that say your shower curtain is safe.
It's up to you.
LOL, now THAT’S funny!
You can put them in the washer with a couple of towels. They come out clean and fresh, and vinyl-y.
Wasn't that the line from Apocalypse Now?
Hang it on the clothes line for a day or two. Problem solved.
They forgot to include Tolerance Diversity and Puppies in their name.
“A study found that more than 100 chemicals are released by some curtains, and some are at levels that violate indoor air safety standards.”
I for one don’t give a dang.
So open it outside and let it air in the sun for an hour or two. Problem solved.
They would have cringed at some of the plastic molding toys I had as a kid.
The antique cat we have is a far greater menace. :)
Some people would likely faint in the presence of the smell a new vinyl product gives off.
Same people seem to be allergic to everything, including other humans, cats, dogs, grass, air, light, smoke, fire, water, milk, sugar, and salt.
Most people protect themselves from the ‘environment’ so much (Hepa Filtered AC, filter masks , etc.), that when they have to confront the environment, they have no built up defenses.
I say, if the vinyl curtain smell offends one’s sense of smell, get sliding glass doors on your shower.
This will be the next topic of bitching from the Katrina evacuees who are still enjoying taxpayer housing-—almost 3 years later.
Sure would like to personally thank President Johnson for all his efforts in the War On Poverty. He has created 4+++ generations of people who only know how to sit around and wait for a hand out. They surely do not recognise a hand up—only a hand out.
Do you also remember how water tasted when you squirted it into your mouth from your water pistol on a hot July day?
Yucky but nostalgic.
Yeah, kind of like the hose until the fresh water got to the nozzle.
I had these things where you mixed the polymers and then placed in these screaming hot molds to make cars and dinosaurs and such. Whew, even to a kid they stunk to high heaven.
This “study” was done using a single vinyl shower curtain. They didn’t test different brands, they didn’t test different batches of the same curtain, just one single curtain.
The chemical levels were still within EPA standards.
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=5057141&page=1
I think this is a plot to get us all to stop showering to save the environment :-)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.