Vinyl PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, is a pliable plastic that leaches pthalates, mercury and dioxins. It is a material that is used for a wide range of consumer products. Surprisingly, a large number of these products are items used by children.
Many toys contain PVC because it is a soft, pliable plastic that is perfect for making toys. Even some rubber duckie toys for the shower are made from PVC rather than rubber. The problem with this is that children tend to put toys in their mouth, and even chew on them. Many back-to-school products also contain PVC. This includes containers such as lunch boxes or plastic wrap that are used to contain food.
Pthalates, present in PVC, was also shown in a study published in volume 112, issue 14 of the Environmental Health Perspectives journal to cause allergic reactions in children at the typical range of pthalates found in a home. PVC is so prevalent in most homes that many of the chemicals associated with the material can be found in the dust of homes.
Bed mattresses contain PVC and other bromelain flame retardants, which are also toxic to health. Babies spend a great amount of time and mattresses, so these chemicals are an especially potential health risk.
1. Look for products that specifically advertise “PVC-free”. There are many companies that have voluntarily removed PVC from their products because of the health dangers.
2. Search for the #3 recycling symbol on the package before buying an item, or the word “Vinyl”. This means that the product contains PVC.
3. Visit the www.healthystuff.org or www.healthtoys.org database and do a search on items you would like to purchase for your child. The database contains a wide range of products that have been tested for consumers who want to buy safely.
4. Use the Healthy Stuff.org mobile option when you are shopping and want to make an unplanned purchase. This option allows you to use text messaging to access the database and make a safe, spur-of-the-moment purchase.