Discover the Magic of PVA in Gain Flings for Great Laundry Results

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Gain Flings are here to revolutionize your laundry routine! At Gain, we believe in the power of science to bring you fresh, clean, clothes. Our secret? The incredible Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) film that wraps each pod.

The Role of PVA in Laundry Pods

Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) is a polymer known for its water-soluble properties. When you toss a Gain Flings pac into your washing machine, the PVA film dissolves quickly, releasing the detergent right when it's needed. This ensures an efficient wash every time!

Why PVA is Safe and Effective

Many consumers are concerned about microplastics, but rest assured, PVA is different. There is overwhelming scientific evidence that PVA film does not create microplastics.

Feature / Characteristic Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) Used in Detergent FilmsMost Common Microplastics: Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP), Polystyrene (PS), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Polyamide (PA), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)
Water SolubilityDetergent-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]
BiodegradabilityDetergent-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 BodiesZero 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 SpeciesIt 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 EnvironmentDetergent-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, 24, 25, 26]
ToxicityThe 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 MicroplasticNo, 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]

Benefits of PVA in Gain Flings

Gain Flings leverage the power of PVA to provide several benefits:

  • Efficient Cleaning: The PVA film ensures the detergent is released at the perfect moment.

  • Cold Water Performance: PVA dissolves even in cold water, helping reduce energy usage when you wash in cold.

  • Scientifically Proven:

    Overwhelming science suggests that PVA used in detergent films does not lead to microplastic pollution.

Gain Flings are designed to make your laundry experience as easy and effective as possible. With the power of PVA, that fully dissolves to unleash Gain’s cleaning and scent power, you can enjoy fresh, clean clothes without worrying. So, go ahead and embrace the delightful scent and powerful cleaning of Gain!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is PVA and how does it work in laundry pods?

Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) is a synthetic polymer that dissolves in water, releasing detergent effectively in laundry cycles.

Do PVA films contribute to microplastic pollution?

There is overwhelming scientific evidence that PVA film does not create microplastics.

How do Gain Flings benefit from PVA?

PVA in Gain Flings ensures efficient detergent release and exceptional cleaning. Gain Flings are compact, highly concentrated, and designed for convenience.

Key Highlights

  • PVA Benefits: PVA dissolves in water, releasing detergent effectively.

Environmental Safety: Overwhelming science suggests that PVA used in detergent films does not lead to microplastic pollution.

  • Gain Performance: Gain Flings use PVA for enhanced cleaning and freshness.

Reference Links

  1. Lack of Evidence for Microplastic Contamination from Water-Soluble Detergent Capsules

  2. EPA: Denial of Requested Rulemaking (Section IV, C.1)

  3. Some Properties of PVA and their Possible Applications

  4. OECD: Solution/Extraction Behaviour of Polymers in Water

  5. Defining the Conformation of Water-Soluble Poly(vinyl alcohol) in Solution: A SAXS, DLS, and AFM Study

  6. Bound water governs the single-chain property of Poly(vinyl alcohol) in aqueous environments

  7. Characterization of Partially Hydrolyzed Poly(vinyl alcohol). Effect of Poly(vinyl alcohol) Molecular Architecture on Aqueous Phase Conformation

  8. Microplastics as carriers of toxic pollutants: Source, transport, and toxicological effects

  9. Sorption Behavior and Mechanisms of Organic Contaminants to Nano and Microplastics

  10. Twenty years of microplastic pollution research—what have we learned?

  11. Water soluble polymer biodegradation evaluation using standard and experimental methods

  12. Application of standardized methods to evaluate the environmental safety of polyvinyl alcohol disposed of down the drain

  13. Biodegradability of Polyvinyl Alcohol Based Film Used for Liquid Detergent Capsules

  14. Multi-laboratory evaluation of the reproducibility of polymer biodegradation assessments applying standardized and modified respirometry methods

  15. Analytical methods to measure microplastics in drinking water

  16. Plastic Debris in 29 Great Lakes Tributaries: Relations to Watershed Attributes and Hydrology

  17. Chemical composition of microplastics floating on the surface of the Mediterranean Sea

  18. From the Caribbean to the Arctic, the most abundant microplastic particles in the ocean have escaped detection

  19. Review of the oral toxicity of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)

  20. EFSA: Opinion of the Scientific Panel on food additives, flavourings, processing aids and materials in contact with food (AFC) related to the use of polyvinyl alcohol as a coating agent for food supplements

  21. EPA: Denial of Requested Rulemaking (Section V, B.2)

  22. Contribution of household dishwashing to microplastic pollution

  23. A systematic review of microplastics emissions in kitchens: Understanding the links with diseases in daily life

  24. Release of Micro- and Nanosized Particles from Plastic Articles during Mechanical Dishwashing

  25. Release of primary microplastics from consumer products to wastewater in the Netherlands

  26. Human exposure to PM10 microplastics in indoor air

  27. Assessment of Toxicity and Biodegradability of Poly(vinyl alcohol)-Based Materials in Marine Water

  28. International Journal of Toxicology: Final Report On the Safety Assessment of Polyvinyl Alcohol

  29. EPA: Denial of Requested Rulemaking (Section V, B.4a and 4b)

  30. MSU CRIS: Trending – Polyvinyl Alcohol

  31. MSU CRIS: In the news – Polyvinyl Alcohol

  32. Are We Speaking the Same Language? Recommendations for a Definition and Categorization Framework for Plastic Debris

  33. EPA: Denial of Requested Rulemaking (Section V, B.2 and Section V, B.3)