EON

New York – The new shower curtain smell is caused by toxic chemicals, according to a new study commissioned by the Center for Health, Environment, and Justice.

The study tested vinyl shower curtains from popular stores such as:

* Bed Bath & Beyond
* Kmart
* Sears
* Target
* Wal-Mart.

Researchers found that shower curtains contain high levels of phthalates. They also found high level of organotins, and the single shower curtain tested for off-gassing released 108 different volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Which kinds of VOCs? Not that there’s any such thing as a good VOC, but these are some particularly nasty ones. The EPA classifies seven of the chemicals found in shower curtain as hazardous air pollutants.

During a CBS interview, the study’s director pointed out that:

“When you open a new vinyl shower curtain in your home, you’ll experience a strong chemical odor.

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.”

The testing did not replicate the higher temperature and humidity conditions found in regular showering conditions, which may increase concentrations of pollutants released from the curtain.

However, the CHEJ speculated that the concentration of chemicals are likely to be greater during a shower than those reported by the study.