Q & A Parents in the Know: Does PVC Free = Phthalate Free?
September 5, 2008 by Alicia
Filed under PVC, Phthalates
Q: I’m confused! Many plastic baby products are listed as BPA, PVC and phthalate free. Doesn’t PVC free also mean Phthalate free?
A: The simple answer is YES.
This is a confusing issue, especially for busy parents who don’t stay up ’til 2 a.m.researching toxic plastics like I do 
Phthalates are a class of chemicals that are added to children’s PVC bibs, toys and teethers to make them more flexible. As long as you focus on staying away from PVC plastic altogether, you’ll be safely avoiding phthalates as well.
Phthalates in liquid baby lotions and soaps is a different matter completely and doesn’t apply to this info about PVC plastic. You can read more about that here.
You’ll notice at The Soft Landing store, we’ve listed all of our products as being BPA, PVC and phthalate free. It’s really uneccessary since everything we carry is PVC free, but we do it to help ensure parents understand that we’ve got every based covered.
Thanks for this, makes it understandable. I too had wondered.
so if something is listed as BPA free does that also mean it is PVC free?
Hi Still Confused,
Glad you stopped by! BPA (or bisphenol-a) is a different chemical from PVC. BPA is used in polycarbonate plastic and epoxy linings found in aluminum cans and water bottles. So, no – BPA-free does not mean that a product will be PVC-free.
Hope that helps!
Alicia