Swimsuits, pool toys and sun care products often use materials that are non-biodegradable and harmful to our health. Today, there are some great eco-friendly pool product alternatives. Below, I list the most common materials that can affect human health and/or are non-sustainable, and then I provide seven sustainable alternatives for common pool accessories.
Common culprits
Phthalates: Found in PVC, which is commonly used in pool toys, floaties and life vests. Studies indicate higher incidence of asthma and allergies in children with high phthalate exposure. In addition, other studies have indicated phthalates may act as endocrine disruptors leading to breast cancer in women.
Nylon & polyester: These are non-biodegradable fabrics commonly used in swimwear.
Benzophenone: Used in common sunscreens. Studies indicate benzophenone is estrogenic, which has been linked stimulating breast cancer.
Oxybenzone: Found in more than three-quarters of all sunscreens and thought to be estrogenic and an endocrine disruptor.
Alternatives
Bathing suits: Replace your typical nylon or polyester suits with one made of organic cotton or bamboo or recycled materials. Check out Koru’s swim line with suits made of material derived from recycled fish nets.
Plastic pool toys: Swap out the BPA and PVC toys for those made with recycled or biodegradable materials that are BPA and PVC free.
Life vests: Life vests can be hard to find without PVC, so if you can’t find a PVC-free one, find a used vest. Older PVC has had more time to off-gas.
Floaties and noodles: Opt for those that are polyethylene or EVA foam.
Swim diapers: Switch out the disposable swim diapers for reusable cloth diapers. Examples include The Honest Company‘s swim diaper and Bummi’s Swimmi.
Inflatable pool toys: Most pool toys are made wit PVC, so when you buy yours be sure to give them plenty of time to off-gas.
Sunscreen: Swap out sunscreens with benzophenone and oxybenzone for brands that offer protection without those chemicals. Examples include Alba Botanical, Kiss My Face and Badger.
Claire McDaniel
Claire is a swimming and nutrition expert who loves to educate and motivate others to healthier living. She swam competitively for 18 years, is a five time All-American, a Division I National Champion, was co-captain of Team USA at the 2007 World University Games and was named a finalist for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award. She also has a master’s degree in nutrition and is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. After swimming, Claire started coaching and has coached all over the US and even in Switzerland! Her experience and expertise about both swimming and health fuel her passion for Clear Comfort’s mission – to make swimming a 100 percent healthy activity for swimmers, coaches, lifeguards and pool staff.
