The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) found that older, imported vinyl (plastic) mini blinds contain high amounts of lead which can be hazardous to young children.Lead dust forms on the blinds, particularly when the they are exposed to heat and sun.
When did they stop putting lead in blinds?
July 1996
Learn About It Today! What Mini-Blinds Are Made With Lead? Some imported non-glossy vinyl mini- blinds made before July 1996 have been found to contain lead. Beginning July 1996, vinyl mini-blinds were no longer made with lead.
Are window blinds toxic?
PVC is made of plastic, which contains many toxic chemicals. PVC blinds may contain traces of hydrochloric acid, vinyl chloride, dioxin, lead, mercury, and cadmium. This toxic blend of chemicals is known to contribute to the development of cancer, congenital defects, respiratory distress, and much more.
What are window blinds made of?
A typical window blind is made up of several long horizontal (or vertical) slats of various types of hard material, including wood, plastic or metal which are held together by cords that run through the blind slats.
Are vinyl blinds toxic?
Lovely window coverings free from toxic vinyl or chemicals. If you have conventional window shades, they could be making you sick. C.W.He discovered that vinyl, also known as polyvinyl chloride or PVC, is highly toxic throughout its lifecycle.
Are aluminum blinds safe?
Non-Toxic Curtains and Blinds
The best non-toxic window coverings are natural untreated fabric, natural fiber roll-down blinds, aluminum blinds and aluminum screens. For blackout shades, bamboo shades with liners, polyester curtains, hemp, cotton, and paper pleated shades can be considered.
How long do vinyl mini blinds last?
When’s the last time you took a close look at your blinds? If you’ve had yours for a while, inspect them for wear and tear, because most only have a usable life of 7-8 years.
Does vinyl contain lead?
Lead and cadmium are widely present in vinyl consumer products as stabilizers, components of pigments, or as contaminants. Lead is not regulated in vinyl consumer products by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Are blackout blinds toxic?
Traditional kids blackout blinds are made from PVC, which gives off hundreds of hugely toxic chemicals into the air every second. It’s why they come with a warning to not leave in direct sunlight for long periods of time because heating up PVC makes it release even more chemicals.
Do blackout curtains have chemicals?
Older blackout curtains are manufactured using fabrics that contain a high number of volatile organic compounds or VOCs, some of which can be toxic or harmful to humans.
What are the difference between shades and blinds?
What is the Difference Between Blinds and Shades? Many shoppers use these words interchangeably to refer to many styles of window coverings.On the most basic level, blinds are hard window coverings made with horizontal slats, and shades are window coverings made of one or more pieces of fabric.
What are cheap blinds made of?
Plastic. Plastic blinds (usually made out of vinyl, like PVC) are usually the most affordable of the materials, but they don’t always look as refined as wood or faux wood. They do, however, come in different colors and textures and can even mimic the look of wood.
What is the difference between blinds and shades?
Shades are another type of covering that can also be opened and closed; exposing and hiding the window. Blinds are simply window coverings that come with vanes or slats; they enable the owner to raise or lower the blind to cover the window.
Are vinyl windows bad for your health?
Vinyl windows are toxic to the environment.
Manufacturing vinyl requires polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which forms the toxic carcinogen dioxin when PVC is manufactured and burned.
Is vinyl cancerous?
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has identified vinyl chloride as a known human carcinogen. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the EPA, have identified vinyl chloride as a known human carcinogen.
Are faux wood blinds safe?
Under most conventional circumstances, faux wood blinds are safe; you might want to take some precautions if you or someone you live with has a sensitivity issue towards chemicals such as formaldehyde.
Do aluminum blinds contain lead?
Do other kinds of blinds have lead? The CPSC did not find lead in aluminum (metal) mini blinds. Most vertical blinds (those with slats running from top to bottom) are manufactured in the U.S. and do not contain lead.
Are wood blinds toxic?
If you use faux wood blinds on a large window, you may find it hard to raise/lower them. Some types of faux wood may contain unhealthy chemicals, which can cause allergic reactions. Some of them are very toxic and potentially carcinogenic.
What is the difference between vinyl and aluminum blinds?
Blinds made of aluminum are made of stronger material compared to vinyl blinds making them stronger and less likely to break. Blinds made of vinyl however can flex easier than aluminum and are less likely to dent or crease. Vinyl blinds are easier to maintain as well as clean compared to aluminum.
Which type of blinds last longest?
6 Highly Durable Window Coverings
- Fauxwood Plantation Shutters. Faux wood isn’t just great for creating durable blindsit’s also ideal for creating shutters that can last for many years.
- 2 Aluminum Blinds.
- Faux Wood Vertical Blinds.
- Deluxe Exterior Solar Shades 5 Percent Openness.
- Premium Blackout Double Cellular Shades.
What can I use to replace blinds?
While blinds are still popular, today there are plenty of alternatives to blinds that work well in modern spaces.
- Roller shades. Custom roller shades create a sleek and simple look that pairs perfectly with modern design.
- Cellular shades.
- Roman shades.
- Transitional shades.
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