I-Team Extras: Dangerous Displays
Jun 12, 2008 7:07 pm US/Eastern
Possible Danger: The New Shower Curtain Smell
Click Here For The PDF File Containing The Latest CHEJ Study
Some smells are unforgettable long after the actual aroma has faded, such as with a new vinyl shower curtain for instance. But did you know that smell could be signaling a shower curtain danger?
New data released Thursday confirms what many scientists have believed for some time.
CBS4 I-Team Investigator Laurie Stein first told us about these vinyl shower curtains and now she's warning you about the new findings.
In a previous
CBS4 I-Team story, you might remember a cartoon character named "Sam Suds", used by a research group to warn about possible dangers found in PVC. In fact, the story showed how polyvinylchloride, or plastic number three, was used in all sorts of products, from containers, to kids toys. Now the same environmental group that created Sam Suds claims there's new scientific data to back up its fears about PVC in shower curtains.
The Centers for Health and Environmental Justice (CHEJ) says it tested five vinyl shower curtains bought at major retailers. They say they discovered alarming levels of what's called VOC's (volatile organic compounds), that are released into the air. They can last in the home for up to 28 days after a consumer hangs-up the shower curtain. Scientists say VOC's can cause cancer, liver and kidney damage. Plus, they say PVC's chemicals can be absorbed into our bodies, through the air.
"When you open a new vinyl shower curtain in your home, you'll experience a strong chemical odor," said Michael Schade, the study's director. "Over the years we have received a lot of complaints from parents and consumers concerned about experiencing headaches and other health problems associated with the exposure to the new shower curtain smell."
CBS4 News began investigating this last year.
"Over one year ago, CBS4 investigated the dangers of PVC," said Schade. "Unfortunately one year later we find that this continues to be a pressing public health concern. The EPA classifies seven of the chemicals that we found as hazardous air pollutants."
The CHEJ is now asking the Consumer Product Safety Commission to ban PVC shower curtains. It's also asking major retailers to phase them out of stores, and letting consumers know there are alternatives, like organic cotton shower curtains.
Click Here For The PDF File Containing The Latest CHEJ Study
Dangerous Displays
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