| Many of you have switched to purses made of | | | | carbon footprint that just won't go away anytime in the |
| polyvinyl chlorate (PVC) rather than carry a leather | | | | next 100 years or so. |
| handbag. Although PVC is an animal-free alternative to | | | | After reading this you may be thinking leather would |
| leather, it does contain petroleum and other toxic | | | | be a better option. The tanning process for leather is |
| chemicals. While trying to save an animal you may | | | | extremely toxic and can involve cyanide, arsenic, and |
| have moved dangerous toxins into your homes --- into | | | | other chemicals that have been linked to such |
| your very closets. | | | | problems as nervous disorders, asthma, skin and |
| The Center for Environmental Health (CEH) tested | | | | respiratory disorders. Tanning produces waste that is |
| purses from 100 U.S. retail stores made of polyvinyl | | | | dumped into the environment and can poison |
| chlorate or PVC. PVC doesn't require an animal's skin | | | | waterways. One such example occurred in Woburn, |
| but it is not an earth-friendly alternative. | | | | Massachusetts. Residents saw a disturbing increase in |
| Many of the purses contained shocking high levels of | | | | the rate of childhood leukemia cases after a leather |
| lead which is a known toxin linked to a host of health | | | | tannery was constructed in their area. |
| problems which includes cancer, infertility, and | | | | Many chose not to buy leather because of animal |
| Alzheimer's. The levels of lead found in some of the | | | | welfare issues. Although some leather is a by-product |
| bags tested were 100 times higher than the "safe" | | | | of the meat industry, not all leather used in the United |
| level of lead set for children's toys. These are the | | | | States comes from the meat industry. This is a |
| same handbags you carry every day and sit in your | | | | common misconception. A percentage of hides used in |
| home and closet. | | | | the US are imported from other countries such as |
| Some stores that have the lead-laden purses in their | | | | India. Importation of hides causes even more petroleum |
| inventory have promised to screen and look for better | | | | to be used moving them around the world. |
| standards of the products' lead content. The other | | | | There are some earth-friendlier options are available. |
| ingredients in these purses are far from safe even if | | | | Items made with polyurethane (PU) are leather |
| PVC products don't contain high levels of lead. | | | | look-alikes and considered safe. Other eco-friendly |
| In addition to lead PVC includes ingredients such as: | | | | materials are organic cotton, hemp, and bamboo. Look |
| chlorine, petroleum, phthalates, and the carcinogen | | | | for items made from recycled materials. Matt and Nat |
| DEHP. These chemicals along with dioxin (linked with | | | | make stylish, non-leather bags that are made from |
| immune, reproductive, nervous, and endocrine system | | | | recycled bottles. Olsen Haus and Cri de Coeur make |
| damage) are added during the production process. | | | | very eco-friendly, upscale shoes that are very chic. If |
| Another ingredient is VOCs which you may recognize | | | | you're looking for more casual eco-footwear check |
| as that "new car smell". Symptoms associated with | | | | out Autonomie Project's Ethletic shoes. These are |
| VOCs are headaches, fatigue, and nose and throat | | | | vegan and made from organic cotton, certified |
| discomfort among other ailments. There are some | | | | sweatshop-free. |
| reports that claim VOCs are suspected to cause | | | | It is very important to do what we can to make our |
| cancer. | | | | lives and our planet healthier and greener. Do your |
| PVC is #3 plastic and it is not usually recyclable. Since | | | | homework and find ways to remove as many toxins |
| it is not recycled it sits in landfills. If mixed in with | | | | as you can from your life. Everyone can play a part to |
| recyclable plastics, it will contaminate the recyclable | | | | kick our oil addiction. |
| waste. PVC is a waste nightmare adding to the | | | | |