Peva Materials: Everything you need to know about them

PEVA materials are non-chlorinated vinyl materials used as a substitute for PVC, a type of vinyl that contains chlorine. The US Food and Drug Administration recognizes PEVA as an acceptable packaging material used during irradiation of prepackaged food.

To be clear, PEVA vinyl is not 100% free of chlorine. However, it does contain less than 5%. This is significantly lower than PVC vinyl, which contains more than 30%.

What are some PEVA Products?

One of the most well-known uses of PEVA vinyl is in agricultural applications. This includes greenhouses, row covers, and polytunnels. PEVA is also used to make greenhouse covers, plant protection coverings, greenhouse films, and plastic coatings for cold storage.

It can also be used for medical products like surgical gloves and examination gloves. It’s been proven that PEVA vinyl is safe to use for food or pharmaceutical purposes however it’s not advised that people eat the gloves after using them. In addition, they’re safe to recycle with plastics which makes them very environmentally friendly compared to PVC vinyl which doesn’t get recycled often.

Here are some frequently asked questions about PEVA and their answers.

Frequently asked questions about PEVA materials

1. Is PEVA Safe?

PEVA vinyl is often considered to be a safe alternative to PVC vinyl. One reason for this is that the material has been certified by The Vinyl Institute. This kind of certification proves that vinyl products are safe and effective to use for certain applications.

In addition, PEVA vinyl was recognized as safe by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). In fact, they’ve been cleared for use in medical applications. An example of this would be surgical gloves and examination gloves.

The material also contains less than 5% chlorine which makes it a safer alternative to PVC vinyl which contains over 30%. The high chlorine content in PVC vinyl can release harmful chemicals into the environment whenever it is burned or incinerated.

PEVA also has the ability to release less harmful chemicals and substances than PVC vinyl. This is because chlorine can cause skin irritation and skin burns when exposed to it for a long period of time. However, PEVA doesn’t cause these kinds of side effects.

This is an important difference that people should be aware of because most people do not think that vinyl made with chlorine is safe to use. In reality, this is not the case as PEVA vinyl is made without chlorine.

2. Is PEVA fabric or plastic?

PEVA is a type of plastic. However, it is not made from vinyl chloride or vinyl bromide. These materials have been known to release harmful toxins into the environment and human bodies.

On the other hand, PEVA is made from a different chemical called Polyethylene. This chemical is considered safe to use and is non-toxic so there should be no reason to worry about it being harmful to the environment or your health.

3. Is PEVA cancerous?

PEVA is non-toxic and therefore free of cancer-causing substances. Therefore, there’s no reason to worry about Peva vinyl being carcinogenic. Like most plastics, it’s also non-reactive and doesn’t cause corrosion in many different environments.

4. Is PEVA recyclable?

PEVA products can be recycled along with other plastics such as PETP (Polyethylene terephthalate) and PVC. In fact, the recycling industry suggests that PEVA should be recycled at a rate of 70% or more on average.

5. Is PEVA mould resistant?

PEVA is considered mould resistant because it doesn’t release harmful substances like PVC. This means that the material is safe for storing food and medical products. In essence, PEVA vinyl is a safer alternative to PVC vinyl.

6. Does PEVA get brittle over time?

In short, it doesn’t. PEVA’s tensile strength remains constant throughout its lifetime. One major reason for this is that this type of plastic does not contain chlorine or other harmful chemicals that can cause blisters and hairline cracks over time.

7. Is silicone better or safer than PEVA?

PEVA is considered to be a safer alternative to silicone. PEVA material is non-toxic and unlike silicone which contains compounds that are carcinogenic. These compounds may cause cancer, heart disease, asthma, kidney failure, reproductive disorders and other health issues over time.

8. Is PEVA easy to cut?

PEVA vinyl does not have to be cut with scissors or knives to use it. Instead, you can simply rip it with your hands by grabbing the product between two fingers and pulling it apart to create a broken surface. This means it is very easy to cut.

9. Is PEVA waterproof?

PEVA vinyl products are fully waterproof. However, PEVA can become water permeable if left out in the sun for hours. The material is capable of tolerating hot and cold temperatures, however, it is not recommended that you put it in the freezer.

10. What is the difference between PVC and PEVA?

PVC and PEVA have the following differences

1. PVC is polyvinyl chloride while PEVA is polyethylene vinyl acetate
2. PVC is made contains a number of harmful compounds like phthalates, lead, cadmium and organotins which are harmful to the health and the environment while PEVA contains less toxic compounds and is relatively safe to use around the home.
3. When burned, PVC releases highly toxic chemicals called dioxins which build up in the body and can cause harm to immune and reproductive health. PEVA on the other hand is less harmful when burned.

11. Can I use PEVA vinyl outside?

Yes, you can. However, you should take care to protect it from sunlight and extreme temperatures. Exposure to UV rays for long periods of time can cause the material to degrade faster compared to when used inside your home or office.

12. How Do I Know If A Product Contains PVC Or PEVA?

PEVA is often found as a separate designation from the name of the product. In other cases, it is not mentioned anywhere on the label. The best way to tell if a product contains PEVA or PVC vinyl is to look for those symbols on the packaging which will signify these materials.

13. What are the advantages and disadvantages of PEVA?

PEVA vinyl is a new type of plastic that’s been created in the last few years. The majority of its applications have been for decorative purposes such as adding a splash of colour to tablecloths, furniture and other interior design pieces.

In the future, PEVA may also be used to create more durable products that are capable of surviving extreme temperatures or pockets of air without cracking or breaking over time. PEVA has some of the following advantages:

1. PEVA is non-toxic so it’s safe for humans and animals alike.
2. It doesn’t release any harmful toxins into the air once installed so there’s no reason to worry about it being carcinogenic or causing breathing problems.
3. It is safe to use with food, medical products and children’s toys.

In the same vein, PEVA also has a few disadvantages. Some of them are:

1. PEVA is more expensive than other types of plastic.
2. Has a limited lifespan when used outdoors compared to when used in confined spaces.
3. It is not biodegradable.

See also: Advantages And Disadvantages Of Bean Bags

Final Thoughts

PEVA materials are the safest, most eco-friendly kind of plastic that exists today. It can be recycled and does not produce many toxins like other plastics.

When shopping for PEVA materials, ensure that you look for packaging that indicates that it contains this material. The best way for you to determine if a product contains PEVA or PVC vinyl is by looking for those symbols on the packaging which will help you decipher which type of plastic was used.