Understanding PVA: Safe and Effective Use in Everyday Products

Water Solubility

Detergent-grade PVA has been scientifically confirmed to be:

- Water-soluble in laundry and dishwashing conditions ^{[1, 2]}

- Designed in a way to maximize the solubility of the PVA ^{[2, 3]}

- Water-soluble ^[2] at levels 50X higher than you would find in a dishwasher or laundry machine, using the international standard for polymer solubility ^[4]

Detergent grade PVA is so soluble that it dissolves down to the individual molecules, which do not and cannot reform into particles. This means there is no solid surface for toxic substances in the water to adsorb onto. ^{[5, 6, 7]}

Microplastics are insoluble ^[32]. Even the smallest possible fragments are collections of multiple molecules which do not dissolve.

This means they can accumulate in bodies of water. This means they have a solid surface to adsorb and transport other toxic chemicals. ^{[8, 9, 10]}

Biodegradability

Detergent-grade PVA degrades during the normal wastewater treatment process, using universally recognized standard testing methodologies (OECD 301B, 302B). ^{[11, 12, 13]}

It breaks down consistently and reproducibly across a range of laboratory sites, geographical locations, and under a variety of testing conditions, even in river water. ^[14]

Microplastics are extremely persistent in the environment, with degradation timelines ranging from decades to centuries, depending on conditions ^[10].

Presence in Water Bodies

Zero evidence of detergent-grade PVA has been found in the aquatic environment, including zero presence found in drinking water ^[15].

Microplastics have been detected in oceans, rivers, lakes, fish, birds, plankton, and remote areas, and in drinking water ^{[10, 15, 16, 17, 18]}.

Accumulation in Living Species

It is not considered a risk, as it does not accumulate. Detergent-grade PVA has never been found in the human body ^{[19, 20, 21, 30, 31]}.

Microplastics will accumulate due to their solubility in cells’ fat structures and have been found in most parts of the human body ^{[10, 21]}.

Presence in the Home Environment

Detergent-grade PVA has never been found in the home environment, even in dishwasher and washing machine use or homes ^{[1, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26]}.

Microplastics have been found in numerous household products as solid particles ^{[1, 22, 23, 25, 26]}.

Toxicity

The environmental safety and human safety of detergent-grade PVA has been confirmed by the EPA, FDA, and other agencies around the world – and it is approved for use in things like detergent pods, eye drops, and the coating of medications ^{[19, 20, 21, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31]}.

Microplastics can be harmful to marine life and pose a physical hazard to animals. They can also absorb pollutants due to their solid surface ^{[7, 8]}.

Generally Recognized as a Microplastic

No, detergent-grade PVA is not generally recognized by the scientific community as a microplastic ^{[10, 32, 33]}.

Yes, all these materials fit the generally accepted definition and categorization of a microplastic ^{[10, 32]}.