Are phthalates in vinyl shower curtains absorbed through steam inhalation?

What's actually in it

Vinyl shower curtains are made from polyvinyl chloride, or PVC. To make this hard plastic flexible, manufacturers add phthalates. These are a class of chemicals that do not stay put. They leach out of the plastic and into the air of your bathroom, especially when the material is heated by hot shower steam.

Once in the air, you can breathe these chemicals in. They are not just sitting in your shower curtain. They are active substances that can enter your body and interfere with your internal systems.

What the research says

A 2026 study in J Biochem Mol Toxicol highlights the serious nature of these chemicals. The peer-reviewed research shows that phthalates are linked to neurodevelopmental disorders. This means they can negatively affect how the brain grows and functions.

The science shows that these chemicals work by targeting specific molecular pathways in the body. By disrupting these pathways, phthalates can cause damage that impacts long-term health. Because these chemicals are not bound to the plastic, they easily move into the air you breathe every time you take a hot shower.