Recently, we’ve noticed a disturbing trend: activists and media outlets are promoting misinformation about PVC in yoga mats. Several publications, including the Los Angeles Times and HuffPost, have attacked PVC yoga mats based on shoddy science and misleading claims. Meanwhile, they have also promoted alternative materials without serious examination of the potential downsides of their durability, safety, effectiveness, and cleanliness. If media outlets are going to continue to ignore the facts on this issue, we have an obligation to set the record straight.
Activists and their media allies wrongly claim that PVC yoga mats can pose a health risk to those who use them. HuffPost claims that PVC is “highly toxic” but the truth is that PVC is an inert material which has been rigorously studied for decades and has been used safely in consumer and commercial products for more than 50 years.
The LA Times went even further, claiming that PVC was classified as a carcinogen by the World Health Organization. They removed that claim when we pointed out to them that it was false and the source they provided was actually referring to a completely different compound. PVC yoga mats do not pose any risk of harm to human health and this kind of fear mongering is simply irresponsible.
Additionally, both articles make dubious claims about the recyclability of PVC. Approximately 146 million pounds of consumer vinyl products are recycled annually. Since 2014, there has been a 40 percent increase in post-consumer PVC recycling.
And what about those alternative materials touted by these articles? In general, many of the materials they recommend may not be as durable or easy to clean, meaning that there is a very real possibility that they could result in more waste or a buildup of potentially harmful bacteria on the mats. But it gets worse the more you boil down to the specific issues with each material. Cork often contains significant amounts of methylene chloride, a highly toxic extractable, which is a probable human carcinogen. And “biodegradable natural tree rubber” does not decompose easily or quickly. In fact, it can take 50-80 years for rubber to decompose naturally.
It’s unfortunate when outlets like the LA Times and Huffpost promote unfounded and alarmist activist claims rather than giving their readers a balanced view. The plain truth is that PVC yoga mats are durable, safe, easy to clean, and affordable for users. It’s no wonder PVC yoga mats are widely considered to be one of the most resilient and innovative options available on the market today.