With increasing awareness of the environmental impact on human health, people have become more conscious of creating healthy surroundings for themselves and their loved ones. Consequently, they prefer materials that do not pose health risks. As a major material for bathtubs, acrylic often sparks discussions about its potential harm to the human body. To address these concerns, Giving Tree Home explores this topic in depth in this article.
Composition of Acrylic Material
Acrylic bathtubs are primarily made from acrylic layers, which, at the molecular level, are plastic polymers formed by chemically bonding carbon molecules. During the manufacturing of the acrylic layer, methyl methacrylate (MMA) undergoes a polymerization reaction with the help of an initiator, producing polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), also known as acrylic resin. In this process, partially cured acrylic resin may release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can be harmful at high concentrations. However, once fully cured, the acrylic layer does not release harmful substances and poses no risk to human health.
From a technical perspective, while acrylic material does contain chemicals, scientific research indicates that its components are non-toxic once cured. This manufacturing method allows acrylic to be molded into various structural designs and, when combined with vacuum-formed fiberglass, results in a more durable surface, making it highly suitable for frequent use in wet environments.
If you are concerned about the safety of acrylic bathtubs, you can follow these steps after purchase:
- Surface Cleaning: Thoroughly clean the bathtub surface with warm water and a mild detergent to remove any potential chemical residues.
- Ventilation: Before the initial use, open the bathroom windows to ventilate the area and ensure any possible volatile substances are dispersed.
Do Acrylic Bathtubs Contain Lead
When discussing whether a product is healthy, one important aspect to consider is whether it contains lead, a toxic heavy metal with significant negative impacts on human health and the environment:
- Environmental Impact: Lead has a persistent polluting effect. Using or disposing of products containing lead can continuously contaminate soil and water sources, causing long-term harm to ecosystems.
- Impact on Children: Lead exposure can lead to cognitive decline, learning disabilities, attention deficits, hyperactivity, and behavioral issues in children. In severe cases, it can affect growth and development, leading to short stature, hearing loss, and delayed language development.
- Impact on Adults: Lead can cause hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, affect kidney function, and lead to chronic kidney disease. Additionally, lead can impact reproductive health in both men and women, causing fertility issues.
Fortunately, since the discovery of the dangers of lead-containing products, many countries and regions have implemented strict regulations and standards to limit or ban the use of lead in consumer products. For example, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) imposes strict limits on lead content in children's products. At Giving Tree Home, we ensure that all the kitchen and bathroom furniture products we sell, including acrylic bathtubs, are 100% lead-free. We are committed to providing our customers with safe, healthy, and environmentally friendly products, allowing you to use them with peace of mind and without the worry of lead exposure.
Benefits Of Acrylic Bathtubs on Human Health
Relaxation And Heat Retention
Heat retention is an essential aspect to take into consideration while picking the bathtub good for your health. Unlike some other bathtub materials, acrylic tubs can retain heat for an appreciable length of time. This implies that relaxing in hot water for as long as you can is feasible with an acrylic bathtub.
Moreover, it is noteworthy that even in the absence of hot water, it can retain warmth to the touch. When talking about more health benefits, the hot bathing feature offered by acrylic tubs can help promote blood circulation and reduce stress. Also, aromatherapy is considered an effective way to create a more stress-free environment in your bathroom. With these enormous therapeutic benefits, acrylic bathtubs improve both mental and physical health.
Easy To Clean and Durable
Acrylic bathtubs are crafted from non-porous materials, which helps prevent the intrusion of dust, stains, and bacterial growth. The material used in the construction of these sturdy bathtubs protects them from getting stained and dented, making them a mold-resistant and durable bathroom addition. By disinfecting these tubs, you can alleviate the possibility of fungal growth, ensuring proper hygiene.
An easy-to-clean and maintain bathing option, acrylic bathtubs are excellent for people with busy schedules. You can enjoy long hot baths without worrying about extensive cleaning. Simply washing them with soap works best, keeping the bathtubs looking as good as new. You can easily maintain the shine of acrylic bathtubs all day without needing any extra cleaners.
Preventing Allergic Reactions and Skin Irritations
For those with sensitive skin prone to allergic reactions, acrylic bathtubs should be their top choice. The material used in their construction is highly effective in preventing allergies. Unlike fiberglass, acrylic bathtubs are less likely to cause skin problems or reactions to allergens. With their smooth, non-porous surfaces, tubs minimize the accumulation of allergy-causing agents like pollen. People with respiratory conditions can also enjoy a safe and hygienic bathing experience with acrylic bathtubs.
Furthermore, in almost every household, there are typically some cleaners available to maintain a hygienic environment. However, the chemicals in these cleaners can react with the material of your bathtub, leading to various health issues. Fortunately, acrylic bathtubs are designed with materials that can withstand many chemicals and toxins present in cleaners. Additionally, these tubs do not require harsh cleaning treatments to stay in good condition.
Ending
Finally, acrylic bathtub affordability also offers other numerous health benefits such as heat retention, decreased workload, design customization, and much more. Opting for an acrylic bathtub can provide you with a seamlessly warm and much smoother bathing experience that you can enjoy as much as you want. Turn on the spa-like mode in your bathroom along with the peace of mind of having a hygienic environment with acrylic bathtubs.
