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Is PVC in Clothing Dangerous?

PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, is commonly referred to as vinyl. It has various uses, including in children's toys and clothing, as well as in disposable medical products and pseudo leather bags. If you see the label "3" on a plastic product (usually written on the bottom), PVC has been used. PVC is considered a direct risk to the health of humans and to the environment.

  1. What Is PVC?

    • PVC is a large chain-like molecule or polymer. Repeated units of vinyl chloride are used in the construction of products. The material that results can be soft and flexible, or rigid,

      dense and strong, depending on what additives have been used. When polymers are at room temperature and in a pure state, they are inert and insoluble and completely non-toxic. However, additives are added to the polymer and the material then decomposes and degrades when it is subjected to heat, which occurs when the product is formulated or molded. Additives used include plasticizers, which allow for flexibility, and anti-oxidants, which are light and heat stabilizers that make the product last longer.

    Outcomes

    • The PVC products are also degraded by heat, stress, air pollution and light during everyday use. The problem is that PVC forms hydrochloric acid when the composition of the product worsens, and this causes a chain reaction, resulting in loss of strength of the product, which ruins it. Stabilizers are used when the product is created to prevent this from happening. However, the stabilizers can react with the hydrochloric acid --- and not in a good way. Some studies show that this reaction in PVC can create immune system problems in humans, as well as reproductive problems. The PVC often used in antifouling marine paint has been blamed for the death of marine life in harbors.

    Liver Cancer and Other Health Problems

    • Naturalparenting.com.au argues that the extensive use of PVC in children's products and clothing is a concern, because a group of chemicals suspected of causing kidney damages, hormonal disruption and cancer is used in PVC. Exposure to PVC is believed to

      increase the risk of allergies and asthma. Ideally, a parent should avoid buying clothing and toys that contain PVC.

    What to Avoid

    • Avoid buying clothing made from PVC. It is a much cheaper material than leather, latex or rubber, and it looks rather like leather. It is worn by a lot of people, but it is not recommended for use by children. Err on the side of caution. Vinyl chloride is known to cause a rare kind of liver cancer because is it a human carcinogen.

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