PEVA is a non-chlorinated vinyl that is often used a direct substitute for PVC. PEVA is in many common household items, and it is for this reason that you should educate yourself on how safe it is, and what products in your home may be made from PEVA.
In this article
What is PEVA?
PEVA (polyethylene vinyl acetate) is a non-chlorinated vinyl and is commonly used as a substitute for PVC(polyvinyl chloride) – which is a type of chlorinated vinyl. PVC is a known carcinogen and should generally be avoided where possible.
This material is seen to be a less toxic version of vinyl due to the fact that it is non-chlorinated (contains no chloride). So products manufactured from PEVA is considered to be a healthier alternative to PVC products.
PEVA is used in numerous household items such as:
- Shower curtains
- Toys
- Shoes
- Cosmetic bags
- Baby bibs
- Plastic table coverings
- Car covers
- Mattress protectors
Is PEVA Safe?
So while this may give you some peace of mind when purchasing a product that contains polyethylene vinyl acetate, you need to be aware that it still contains other chemicals that may be dangerous to human health. There are some studies that suggest that PEVA is, in fact, toxic to some living organisms.
The main reason why it is impossible to make a definitive statement on this question is that many of the chemicals are contained in this petrochemical product are yet to be properly tested for adverse affects to human health.
What we do know is that this material is free from phthalates, which are “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen”
So while little is known about ethylene vinyl acetate toxicity, from the evidence available it does look like PEVA is a less harmful material than PVC.
Our advice regarding products that contain PEVA at the moment is to use them with caution. It is always good practice to be aware of what your products are made of and what adverse affects these materials may have on your health.
PEVA Frequently Asked Questions
Is PEVA safe for babies?
While PEVA is considered to be a less harmful vinyl than PVC, it is probably wise to limit your babies exposure to either of these materials where possible. There are a lot of unknowns associated with chemicals involved in the manufacturing process of PEVA and babies tend to put everything in their mouth. So do be mindful when using products made from any sort of vinyl around babies.
Are PEVA shower curtains safe?
Polyethylene vinyl acetate is considered to be a safe material for shower curtains. Because it is made without chloride, it has no off-gassing like PVC shower curtains do. PEVA shower curtains are waterproof and affordable and I wouldn’t hesitate to use them at my own home at all.
Our recommended shower curtain is the LiBa Shower Curtain.
How do I know if a product contains PVC or PEVA?
Products that contain polyethylene vinyl acetate instead of PVC will generally advertise the fact, due to it being a less toxic alternative. If the product you are considering contains vinyl, but there is no mention of PEVA, then it is highly likely that it is manufactured from PVC instead and should be avoided if possible.
