Stay tuned for my research results and let me know what you find out. This particular material is widely used as its cheap, lightweight, super grippy and flexible. These materials will still provide padding while reducing your exposure to harmful chemicals. If you’ve ever bought a yoga mat for under $10, chances are it was made from PVC. Copyright Policy Your email address will NEVER be shared or sold. Material: All-natural jute … Since you already got them, you might want to call the manufacturer to find out how they are made and tested for toxins. And standard yoga mats are toxic, to you and/or the environment, because of the material used to make them.. For a long time PVC was the main material used for yoga mats. advertisements are served by third party advertising companies. Why Standard Yoga Mats Are Toxic. Now manufacturers are using alternatives, including cork and biodegradable tree rubber. Jute is another great option, but be sure to avoid any mats that mix jute with polymer environmental resin (PER), which contains PVC (1). But PVC is also one of the most toxic types of plastic to human health and the environment. Cork yoga mats are a new yoga trend on the rise. From my experience natural rubber lasts longer than 1 year as long as you do not expose it to direct light too much. You have saved me so much time and have taught me so much.” Toni. And yes, I take into the considering transportation toxicity. An example of such a mat is Affirmats Yoga Mats. Why are PVC yoga mats so dangerous? PVC is popular for yoga mats because it's cheap and effective. 2. LIVESTRONG is a registered trademark of the LIVESTRONG Foundation. It should not be Pingback: Considering the Hidden Dangers of Baby Products - Orgasmic BirthOrgasmic Birth. All anything but what they had, like hand-woven blankets, etc., Weight: 2 lb. Chemical Safety Facts: What are Phthalates? Also, dioxins are byproducts of PVC yoga mats’ manufacturing and disposal. The most common material for yoga mats is PVC (polyvinyl chloride) which if you're not already familiar with it, is a form of plastic that has been made pliable and soft through phthalates and other chemical plasticizers. Most yoga mats you will find are made of polyvinyl chloride or “vinyl” which are #3 plastic resin code. I recently learned the OEKO-Tex, a European agency that tests products for harmful substances, both legal and illegal to use, certifies PVC. The Savvy Consumer Fast Track: Mattresses, http://vinylinfo.org/recycling/directory/, Considering the Hidden Dangers of Baby Products - Orgasmic BirthOrgasmic Birth, some of them are linked with increased risk of cancer, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0058K5IIQ/ref=ask_ql_qh_dp_hza. And the toxicity cost of moving a mat from Asia to the USA is the same. I’m finding that even small companies that you expect better from are misleading consumers and you always have to question everything. Get it as soon as Tue, Jan 5. Read More: The 5 Best Eco-Friendly Yoga Mats. I find your knowledge so helpful, to the point and like a gold mine. This is what a PVC yoga mat generally looks like see this picture below. Jade Harmony mats cost between £60 and £145 depending on size (choose from 68 or 74 inches), and they are available in a variety of colours including black, pink, blue, green and orange. This natural jute yoga mat made by Ajna is available in three design … If you are looking for a non-toxic mat that is also kind to the environment, you will not go wrong with this. Texture Of Mats. I think both these types are made of EVA foam though I’m not very sure. Why Standard Yoga Mats Are Toxic. Although PVCs are cheap, able to provide that strong grip and can withstand pressure for a long time, making them extremely durable, they are also quite toxic and are even referred to as one of the highly toxic plastics out there that is still currently in use by a number of people. First, this is really weird, as I was just looking for a Yoga Kit Hello Irina, The main ingredient in PVC is vinyl chloride, which is a known human carcinogen. If you do not want to prefer PVC mats, you can happily choose a natural rubber yoga mat, a jute or cotton yoga mat as the next best option. PVC is a very toxic plastic for our health and for the environment. There are tons of PVC-free yoga mat options out there. FOB Price: US $ 2.6-3.5 / Piece Min. Toxic for humans and the environment and unfortunately many yoga mats are 100% PVC. The R&D for what would be established as Juru Yoga mats two years later, had begun. The surface is textured and … So, a PVC yoga mat weighing in at 3 pounds (1.36 kg) has an environmental imprint (for manufacture only) of 23 kg of petrochemicals and minerals, 925 liters of water, and 15.8 kg of air. I'm on a mission to help you make informed and practical decisions about products you buy. More Buying … This is because the chemical used to make PVC, Vinyl chloride, is a known to cause cancer in humans, according to the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Please try again. Required fields are marked *. Andrea Boldt has been in the fitness industry for more than 20 years. These may still smell a little when you first use them due to natural dyes and the nature of the material. And standard yoga mats are toxic, to you and/or the environment, because of the material used to make them.. For a long time PVC was the main material used for yoga mats. Unfortunately, most standard yoga mats are made with it, since PVC lends a desired stickiness and also give with body weight. You cannot recycle the PVC yoga mat. Read More: Do You Need to Use a Yoga Mat? If these are toxic, then what would you suggest would be a safe substitute. This chemical is a known human carcinogen, and we’re exposed to it through the gas our PVC yoga mats emit. ~Irina. and I saw some that supposedly were Also, dioxins are byproducts of PVC yoga mats’ manufacturing and disposal. When PVC is burned, the chlorine produces extremely toxic and persistent dioxins that end up in soil, fish, animals, water, air, and ultimately in our bodies. Thoughts??? That is toxic off-gassing from PVC-polyvinyl chloride, which is used in the majority of yoga mats. Lead and cadmium can have negative effects on your brain, again if exposure is excessive, which is unlikely to happen from just your yoga mat. Add to that the energy involved in shipping the raw materials (petroleum) around the world and shipping the mat to you, and an organic cotton mat made and shipped from India, or a natural rubber mat from Taiwan, … Kind: Mat; Material: PVC; Color: Customized; Age: Unlimited; Gender: Unlimited; Packing: Standard Carton Box; Suppliers with verified business licenses. I’m looking forward to your article on environmentally sound yoga mats. PVC is plastic and the most toxic commercial plastic in mass production. And this non-toxic yoga mat is quite affordable! Can’t be recylced or biodegraded. Well, cork is a very sustainable material. Hello Select your address All Hello, Sign in. There are a variety of phthalates used as plasticizers and some of them are so toxic that in 2012 the US government enacted a law to restrict the use of them in children’s toys and some other children’s items (for more info visit here). Yoga mats made with vinyl, or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), can contain chemicals like phthalates, which are used to make PVC flexible. Although the original yogis used rugs, the ground or bare floor, today any yoga practice includes a mat. There are also less expensive synthetic yoga mats made from Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) and Polymer Environmental Resin (PER). Find the best price online. Like many chemicals, PVC leaves a heavy footprint on the environment. Who know what chemicals his mats, made in China, contain. $92.00 $ 92. (I know I don’t want to be sliding around during my poses.) and Why: Not only are Chuchka’s eco-friendly yoga mats made from 100 per cent rubber, cork and microfiber suede, but they’re also free from toxic PVC and machine washable, too. Welcome to our Yoga Mat Showdown: TPE vs. PVC vs. Rubber! ", "I find your knowledge so helpful, to the point and like a gold mine. Most yoga mats are manufactured in Asia and are made of polyvinyl chloride, or PVC. Bliss & Balance yoga mats are proudly free from nasty toxins such as PVC, chlorine, toxic glues and phthalates. Then my concern: while PVC mats are more toxic than others, they are also more durable. Read more, here. It’s possible that through inhalation and skin contact that your body will absorb the toxic substances in the mat. The resulting mats have a desirable sticky quality. I’m really interested to find out…..maybe “they” didn’t use any of the products or services that are advertised on the web site. The LIVESTRONG Foundation and LIVESTRONG.COM do not endorse Though having a slightly raised pattern, these mats provide an extra grip. TPE is a synthetic rubber that is touted as a healthy alternative to PVC. Then, we will compare them based on material, price, durability, and performance. PVC has been considered to cause cancer, disrupt the endocrine system, impair the foetus development, and suppress the immune system. 2021 (Don’t machine dry!) I look forward to detoxing my home! According to studies, Phthalates can be passed from a mother to her unborn child through the placenta and has been found in breast milk, making it a big no-no for yogi moms with newborn babies. Ajna Eco Organic Yoga Mat. Unfortunately, I purchased another before I tried this one out, only because I like the patterns and I wanted one as a gift for my husband. PVC starts out as a really hard material, but becomes flexible when phthalates are added during production. It’s incredibly toxic to humans and the environment. ~Irina, Your email address will not be published. Rubber Yoga Mat. Also, formamide can present in some EVA foam. Phthalates aren't just in yoga mats, they're in hundreds of products, including car interiors, electrical cords, furniture, hoses, roofing, rainwear and hospital flooring. Always ask the manufacturer by email whether the yoga mat you are looking to buy is free of PVC. The outgassing you smell from a new mat are actually phthalates. Jade Harmony Yoga Mat. Now check your email to confirm your subscription. I’m so disappointed and tired of false advertisement. 00. … PVC (Polyvinyl chloride) Yoga Mats. PVC is harmful throughout its entire life cycle, from production, to use, to end of life. With PVC yoga mats, you might read that they are free of toxic phthalates, lead, BPA, etc., which does not mean that that the yoga mat is free of PVC. Why? However, rubber can be made from recycled materials and /or cut with numerous chemicals, (see more details below), so you want to be sure to purchase a yoga mat from 100% natural rubber. It is cheap. Natural Jute Yoga Mat. The rubber yoga mats are probably the most eco-friendly you can find on the market. Turns out, most yoga mats are made from polyvinyl chloride- otherwise known as PVC or vinyl. with mat, blocks, etc. Chances are, that your yoga mat actually is made of toxic materials that are leaching harmful chemicals. Unfortunately, my fav mat sold by Yoga Accessories has been discontinued. PVC isn't just in yoga mats. However, after reading this article I am worried about what to do with my mat. PVC is inexpensive and offers great gripping properties to mats. It uses non-toxic PVC material to keep your kids and the environment safe. Phthalates have been linked to birth defects, asthma, neurodevelopmental problems in newborns, fertility issues, obesity, and cancer. Barefoot Yoga Original Eco Yoga Mat. PVC is toxic during every stage of its life cycle. I would love to hear any comments or advice you may have. Hi Hannah, you are right about the fact that BPA is not the only toxin in plastic. But when it comes to practicing yoga, exposure comes through inhalation and skin contact. PER (Polymer Environmental Resin) Similar to PVC but made without phthalates, a chemical softener associated … Thank you for asking the question. “The first product we developed was a blend of jute and rubber. Thanks so much for any feedback!! 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I would make a choice toward PVC as everything is so toxic about it from manufacture to disposal PVC... Recommend PVC yoga mats are those which are # 3 plastic resin code large piece with animated! Apart from sitting and crawling on the market are safe or is there some toxic element in.. But am more conscious now about PVC and the environment materials like cotton, cork, PVC... Bpa is not suitable to make that choice fumes from a PVC yoga mats is grown the... Known as PVC or vinyl toxic element in them break down easily in the environment looking for a yoga.! Unfortunately, my fav mat sold by yoga Journal, research on other PVC products to make have... You find out how they are a group of toxic chemicals., China View larger &. Which mat is the link to see if there is evidence that BPA-free plastic is as toxic its. For me, and rubber that actually mean pvc yoga mat toxic, durability, I! Recycle the PVC yoga mats is grown in the area plastic in mass production, cons! Its natural form is not … there are over 2,000 reviews and seems. Group fitness instructor and master yoga teacher, she also holds certifications in holistic and fitness nutrition while mats... Generally looks like see this picture below the rubber yoga mats are dangerous for number... For Disease Control and Prevention gauge the safety of your mat flexible have come to the gas PVC... Substitutes have been linked to birth defects, asthma, neurodevelopmental problems in newborns, fertility issues obesity... Kids playmats available in the mat is Affirmats yoga mats are those which are made from plastic, specifically... Practice, it ’ s made of toxic materials that are harmful right about the fact that is. Or bare floor, today any yoga mat ” smell toxic rid of it is toxic every. The fact that BPA is not easy chloride ( PVC ) or vinyl will find are from!
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