Toxic Compounds Banned From Toys Found In Shower Curtains

A coalition of environmental groups tested five vinyl shower curtains and found 108 deadly compounds were released into the air during a 28-day period. The levels measured were 16 times greater than the guidelines for indoor air quality set by the U.S. Green Building Council.

The Environmental Protection Agency considers seven of those toxic chemicals, including toluene and ethylbenzene, hazardous air pollutants. All of the curtains tested contained phthalates, DEHP and DINP -- chemicals banned from children's toys in Washington state.

"It gave off at such concentrations that it overwhelmed the testing equipment and the lab actually had to stop testing for fear that it would break the testing equipment," says Ivy Sager-Rosenthal with the World Toxics Coalition.

For safer alternatives to vinyl shower curtains, buy curtains that are made from cotton, polyester or nylon. Take a look at Toxipedia.org to learn more about which consumer products you shouldn't be exposing your family to.