'New shower curtain smell' may be harmful

FALLS CHURCH, Va., June 13 (UPI) -- The "new shower curtain smell" of polyvinyl chloride shower curtains contain many harmful chemicals, officials of a U.S. a non-profit organization warn.

Stephen Lester -- science director of the Center for Health, Environment & Justice, in Falls Church, Va. -- said a two-phase study shows PVC shower curtains can release toxic chemicals into the air that may lead to adverse health effects, including respiratory irritation, central nervous system, liver and kidney damage, nausea, headaches and loss of coordination.

The report -- by The Work Group for Safe Markets and Center for Health, Environment & Justice -- also found that 108 different volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, were released from the shower curtain into the air over 28 days. The report also said just one new PVC shower curtain will release total VOCs that exceed the typical total VOCs residential level for four days.

"The release of so many volatile organic compounds, many of which are toxic, raises serious questions about the risks PVC shower curtains pose to families, especially young children exposed to these vapors," Lester said in a statement. "Every effort should be made to eliminate PVC shower curtains from homes and to replace them with safer alternatives."