Use your consumer buying power to help shift the market away from making and selling PVC (polyvinyl chloride) products by learning how to identify them before buying them. Not only is PVC toxic on it’s own but it can also release dangerous phthalates when chewed on by children (think rubber duckies and teething toys) and has also been found to frequently contain lead. Thankfully, there are alternatives to PVC. Regarding packaging, one way to determine if it is made from PVC is to look for the number “3†inside or the letter “V†underneath the universal recycling symbol. In addition, soft flexible plastic products that are made with PVC often have a distinct chemical-type odor (think new shower curtains and lunch boxes). If you suspect a product or packaging is made of PVC but you’re not sure, contact the product manufacturer or retailer where you purchased the product to ask them about the materials used and be sure to let them know your concerns about PVC.
Find It Here: Center for Health, Environment and Justice