*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Tony Del Plato* June 12, 2008 607 255 1882
* "NEW SHOWER CURTAIN SMELL" DANGEROUS TO HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT* *New Report Reveals Laboratory Evidence of More Than 100 Chemicals Released >From PVC Shower Curtains Sold at Major Retail Outlets* * * * * *Ithaca, NY - *As many as 100 toxic chemicals associated with adverse health effects are released into the air from PVC vinyl shower curtains. These chemicals make up that "new shower curtain smell" unique to PVC vinyl shower curtains and shower curtain liners, according to *"Volatile Vinyl: The New Shower Curtain's Chemical Smell," *a new study released today by the Center for Health, Environment & Justice (CHEJ). * * Though ubiquitous in homes around the world, PVC shower curtains contain many harmful chemicals, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), phthalates and organotins. Toxic chemical off-gassing from PVC shower curtains may contribute to respiratory irritation, damage to the central nervous system, liver and kidney, nausea, headaches and loss of coordination. "The new shower curtain smell may be toxic to your health," said Michael Schade, report co-author and CHEJ PVC Campaign Coordinator. "The good news is that families can take simple steps to protect their health by avoiding shower curtains made with PVC and choosing healthier products." CHEJ purchased PVC shower curtains at Bed Bath & Beyond, Kmart, Sears, Target and Wal-Mart to use as laboratory samples. Key findings include: * 108 different volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were released into the air from a shower curtain over a twenty-eight day period; * The level of Total VOCs measured was over 16 times greater than the recommended guidelines for indoor air quality established by the U.S. Green Building Council; • The vinyl curtains off-gassed above the recommended level for seven days; * All five curtains tested in phase one contained phthalates DEHP and DINP, chemicals banned in children's toys in California, Washington, and the European Union; * Seven of the chemicals found are classified as hazardous air pollutants by the EPA under the Clean Air Act. (To see the full report, including methodology and findings, visit www.chej.org/showercurtainreport) CHEJ is the first non-governmental organization to test PVC shower curtains. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency conducted a study of PVC shower curtains in 2002, which found elevated levels of four chemicals that were found in the CHEJ study as well: toluene, phenol, ethylbenzene and methyl isolbutyl ketone (MIBK). "Six years after the EPA found that PVC shower curtains continue to release toxic chemicals into the air we breathe for a month or longer, our study shows that nothing has changed. Something must be done to protect consumers from any potential harm these toxic chemicals cause," said Lois Gibbs, CHEJ founder and Executive Director. Retailers Ikea and Marks and Spencer sell PVC-free shower curtains, but the nation's largest retailer, Wal-Mart, has not phased out PVC shower curtains, despite its stated commitment to environmental sustainability. Bed Bath and Beyond, JC Penney, Sears/Kmart, Macys, and Target have all developed plans to offer more PVC-free shower curtains, but not all have set 100 percent PVC-free phase out plans and goals. "The brain is a major target for VOCs, causing everything from headache and loss of concentration to learning disabilities in children whose mothers were exposed before their birth, as shown in a recent Canadian study. Since there are safe alternatives to vinyl shower curtains, such exposures should always be avoided," said David O. Carpenter, M.D., of the Institute for Health & The Environment at the University at Albany, SUNY. The "Volatile Vinyl" report contains the following recommendations to protect consumers, workers, and communities from PVC: - The Federal Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) is 30 years old and must be updated to regulate consumer products that contribute to indoor air pollution and cause health harm. - The Consumer Product Safety Commission should immediately recall all PVC shower curtains from store shelves. - Manufactures and retailers should switch to safer products such as organic cotton shower curtains. - Government at all levels should act quickly to ban the use of PVC in shower curtains. - Consumers should avoid purchasing shower curtains made with PVC, and should not buy shower curtains that are not labeled with their content. The "Volatile Vinyl" report is sponsored by the Center for Health, Environment and Justice and the Work Group for Safe Markets. * * -30- -- "Justice is what love looks like in public." ~ Dr. Cornel West _______________________________________________ For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: [email protected] http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org
