Discover the Benefits of PVA: Safe and Effective Use in Everyday Products

At Gain, we love making your cleaning experience more delightful. Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) is one of the remarkable ingredients we use to ensure our products are safe and effective. Known for its reliability, PVA helps make our detergents compact, concentrated, and easy to dissolve in the wash.

What is Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA)?

PVA is a polymer derived from ethylene gas and acetic acid. It forms water-soluble films, which you’ll find in our single-dose detergents. These films dissolve effortlessly in water, ensuring efficient cleaning even in cold water.

Are PVA and Microplastics the Same?

No. PVA films are specially designed to dissolve in water, making them distinct from durable plastics that turn into microplastics. There is overwhelming scientific evidence that PVA film does not create microplastics.

Feature / Characteristic	Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) Used in Detergent Films	Most Common Microplastics: Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP), Polystyrene (PS), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Polyamide (PA), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)
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, 24, 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]

How Does PVA Benefit the Environment?

PVA supports sustainable cold water washing, helping reduce energy use. With PVA, we create highly compacted and concentrated detergents, using less water and lighter packaging.

Safety and Regulatory Approval

The safety of PVA is well-documented, supported by extensive research and approvals from authorities like the US EPA, FDA, and EFSA. These agencies confirm PVA’s safety across various products, including our detergents.

Common Misunderstandings about PVA

There are some myths about PVA’s safety, but research shows no toxicity or bioaccumulation concerns for the soluble form used in detergent pods and sheets. Rest assured, there is overwhelming scientific evidence that PVA does not create microplastics. See above chart for links to more information.

Conclusion

PVA is a versatile and safe polymer with numerous applications. Its ability to dissolve in water makes it perfect for delivering cleaning performance and environmental benefits.

FAQs

What are the ingredients of PVA?

PVA is made from ethylene gas and acetic acid, combined to create a water-soluble film.

How is PVA made?

PVA is manufactured through smart chemistry, using ethylene gas and acetic acid to create a water-soluble polymer.

Is PVA a forever chemical?

No, PVA is not a forever chemical; it is a completely different class of chemical.

What happens to old PVA material?

After use in the washing machine, the dissolved PVA with the dirty wash water leaves your home through waste pipes and travels to a wastewater treatment plant where it is processed.

Key Highlights

PVA Safety: Polyvinyl Alcohol is safe for use in food, health, and cleaning products, including Gain.
Environmental Benefits: PVA supports cold water washing and does not create microplastics.
Regulatory Approval: PVA is backed by extensive research and approved by major regulatory bodies.

Guide to PVA: Safe and Effective Use in Everyday Products