Where can these VOC's be found? Most commonly in paint, carpets, cleaning supplies, car exhaust fumes, upholstery, adhesives, and all sorts of plastics. That new car smell that is so adored is the off-gassing of the PVC (polyvinyl chloride). When you open the plastic packaging of your new shower curtain, that smell too, is the off-gassing of the PVC!
PVC plastic or vinyl is one of the worst environmental and health offenders, yet it’s the most widely used material. What makes this plastic so abhorred is the highly toxic chemical it releases and creates called dioxin. In a past article called There’s Nothing Green about Chlorine, I discuss the dangers of these chemicals. PVC is also difficult to recycle so therefore much of it ends up in our landfills; but perhaps the greatest danger of PVC is the phthalates that are added to it to make it softer and more pliable. Children’s toys use the soft version of this PVC! The phthalates are well known endocrine disruptors that can cause harm to the reproductive system of both males and females. Read more here
PVC plastic or vinyl is one of the worst environmental and health offenders, yet it’s the most widely used material. What makes this plastic so abhorred is the highly toxic chemical it releases and creates called dioxin. In a past article called There’s Nothing Green about Chlorine, I discuss the dangers of these chemicals. PVC is also difficult to recycle so therefore much of it ends up in our landfills; but perhaps the greatest danger of PVC is the phthalates that are added to it to make it softer and more pliable. Children’s toys use the soft version of this PVC! The phthalates are well known endocrine disruptors that can cause harm to the reproductive system of both males and females. Read more here