| Raincoats
Some popular items of clothing are made of
PVC (polyvinyl chloride) for a water-resistant purpose and/or
glossy, plastic look. Raincoats and other outerwear constitute
the primary items made with PVC, though PVC can also be found
in some specialty outfits (like Halloween costumes for kids)
and fashion clothes such as "plastic" pants that
imitate leather.
Health Hazards:
Toxic exposure results because lead is
used as a stabilizer in some PVC products. Click here for
Lead Stabilizers in PVC. This lead can rub off on skin and
hands. Many PVC raincoats are designed for children, who are
especially vulnerable to lead poisoning and also put their
hands in their mouth more frequently.
How to Avoid or Minimize Exposure:
Check labels for composition of materials to see if
something is a PVC product. You can avoid buying it, or test
the surface of the product with a simple home
lead test kit
since not all PVC clothing uses lead as a stabilizer. If you
own and wear something that tests positive for lead, wash your
hands after handling it. Not recommended for children.
Links to Related Resources
ERF
Chemical Fact Sheet for Lead
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