Hi, Most yoga mats are manufactured in Asia and are made of polyvinyl chloride, or PVC. Thanks so much for any feedback!! Some natural mats are made from woven plant fibers. The Original Eco Yoga Mat. PVC (Polyvinyl chloride) Yoga Mats. The main ingredient in PVC is vinyl chloride, which is a known human carcinogen. The most common yoga mats these days are made from plastic, more specifically polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or vinyl. It’s horrific that these companies get away with this. We are exposed to the gas that PVC yoga mats emit. It should not be A sticky mat is pretty much a must for yoga, but it's safety is in question. Unfortunately, it is not longer sold. PVC is inexpensive and offers great gripping properties to mats. Unfortunately, with time it sheds. Another good yoga mat for kids is from TOPLUS which offers a reversible design. With this said, since they claim that the mat is tested to EN71 and not made in China, it should be okay. Your email address will not be published. PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, is a synthetic resin used to make everything from packaging to pipes. The CDC does recommend more research be done on the effects of phthalates on human health. (*We did not send one of our mats, the Yogasana, because it was disqualified during testing.) Ensure that the mat is free of dangerous chemicals like PVC, PER, TPA, EVA, and synthetic rubbers. Skip to main content.us. So tough to find a good may with all the false advertising out there!! Most yoga mats are made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride), also knows as vinyl, the most toxic plastic (recycle code #3). TOPLUS Yoga Mat. Does it mean that it is okay to use? TPE and PER Plastic Yoga Mats. Here is the link to see if there is one close to your location http://vinylinfo.org/recycling/directory/. Phthalates are considered safe, according to many governing scientific bodies in the U.S. and around the world, but that's when you're exposure is at "typical" levels. However, PVC has plenty of downsides to it: it is very environmentally-harmful to produce, has a strong off-gassing smell, and contains plenty of substances that some people consider toxic (like phthalates). Jute on the other hand sprung up from South Eastern Asia where the need for highly resistant yoga mats arose. I would love to hear any comments or advice you may have. An example of such a mat is Affirmats Yoga Mats. Apart from sitting and crawling on the playmats, I’ve seen my baby lick the mats sometimes too. 99 $29.99 $29.99 PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, is a synthetic resin used to make everything from packaging to pipes. 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. The resulting mats have a desirable sticky quality. This particular material is widely used as its cheap, lightweight, super grippy and flexible. Learn how your comment data is processed. When we use PVC yoga mats, we become exposed to the gas that PVC yoga mats emit. Yoga mats have long been made with PVC, a highly toxic plastic. However, despite the low price point, using PVC is not … Replies to my comments It comes with a drawstring strap bag to store and carry your yoga mat anywhere. The mat releases toxic chemicals when being manufactured, or when you burn it (maybe accidentally with a dryer machine). Always ask the manufacturer by email whether the yoga mat you are looking to buy is free of PVC. and Also, I don’t know what’s different PVC VS Rubber. I recently learned the OEKO-Tex, a European agency that tests products for harmful substances, both legal and illegal to use, certifies PVC. Hi!! It is toxic during its manufacture; it is toxic to the end consumers; and it is toxic during its disposal. PVC yoga mats are dangerous for a number of reasons. All Cork yoga mats are a new yoga trend on the rise. PVC yoga mats are slightly textured but do have a softer feel. Bliss & Balance yoga mats are proudly free from nasty toxins such as PVC, chlorine, toxic glues and phthalates. The concern, however, is that your yoga mat compounds your exposure to all the other products with these contaminants and thus poses a risk. PVC is harmful throughout its entire life cycle, from production, to use, to end of life. Toxic for humans and the environment and unfortunately many yoga mats are 100% PVC. This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on the affiliate link and buy an item, I’ll receive commissions. It is cheap. I requested that no one give the baby plastic toys and have chosen glass bottles for those times when I can’t nurse because as I tell my friends and family: BPA isn’t the only harmful ingredient in plastic. After having experienced the benefits of yoga, I do not know how I had survived without it before. They are on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s list of priority pollutants. This way, you’ll keep your health and environment happy without compromising your posture or comfort level. $92.00 $ 92. From natural rubber to cork, non-toxic yoga mats are … Chemical Safety Facts: What are Phthalates? However, PVC has been listed by many organizations as the “most toxic plastic” currently in use. Moreover, PVC in its natural form is not suitable to make products. Light-weight. Thoughts??? You have saved me so much time and have taught me so much.” Toni. But, unfortunately, there is no safe way to create, use or destroy these mats. LIVESTRONG is a registered trademark of the LIVESTRONG Foundation. What are they made of? And the toxicity cost of moving a mat from Asia to the USA is the same. The resulting mats have a desirable sticky quality. PVC is used to make many products, not just yoga mats. They are a possible endocrine disruptor, meaning they can interfere with your hormones. Unfortunately, my fav mat sold by Yoga Accessories has been discontinued. And I’d like to broaden a little bit the scope: toxicity should be evaluated on the complete life cycle of the product, and it’s then not only about the product, but also the logistic of moving the product from Asia to let say the USA. These materials will still provide padding while reducing your exposure to harmful chemicals. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0058K5IIQ/ref=ask_ql_qh_dp_hza, Hi, Jenny: The R&D for what would be established as Juru Yoga mats two years later, had begun. Why are PVC yoga mats so dangerous? 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). Gaiam Jute Yoga Mat. 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