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From catching raindrops on their tiny tongues to making monster splashes by pouncing into puddles – kids know how to make the best of a stormy day. This year, instead of wrapping them in PVC or fabrics coated in toxic chemicals, look for greener options.

What to Avoid and Why

PVC (polyvinyl chloride or vinyl): PVC is one of the most toxic plastics made. When it’s manufactured and incinerated, it creates dioxins - the strongest cancer causing chemicals ever tested. To make it flexible, as in the case of rain gear, phthalates (hormone disrupting chemicals) are added to soften the plastic. PVC also often has lead added as a stabilizer and it can leach out onto your child’s skin. Lead is an extremely potent neurotoxin that can impact your child’s brain and behavior. Learn more about PVC.

PFCs (perfluorinated compounds): Some raingear is made using PFCs (like Teflon and Gore-tex). PFCs have been linked to birth and developmental effects and cancer in animal studies. They are also extremely persistent in the environment and in our bodies (they stick around a looooooong time). While we don’t know if people are exposed to these toxic chemicals from treated clothes, it makes sense to keep these chemicals out of our environment, so they don’t end up in our water and food. Learn more about PFCs.

Safer Options

Many of the safer options for rain jackets are fabrics coated in polyurethane. While this is still a synthetic plastic polymer, it is a much safer alternative (same goes for nylon and polyester). Safer rain boots are made from natural rubber or EVA (the safer substitute for PVC). Here are some specific safer options:

Jackets:

• REI Cascade Rain Jacket 

• Land’s End Kid’s Rain Slicker

• Puddle Gear

• iPlay Rainwear (available at Target and Toys ‘R’ Us)

• Rugged Bear Kids Raincoats
• CWD Kids Rain Coats

• L.L. Bean

• Alien Kids Raincoat from Hatley Stores 

• H&M (does not use PVC in any of their products)

Boots:

• i-Play Lunar Rain Boots (available at Target and Toys ‘R’ Us)

• Western Chief

• LL Bean 

• Kids' Uda Frog Rain Boot (available at Target)

• Rugged Bear Fire Chief Rain Boots

PVC boots and rubber boots can look very similar and aren’t always labeled. If you can’t tell the difference, ask a sales clerk or call the manufacturer.

To make your purchase as eco-friendly as it can be, first try to find one of these items gently used at a local consignment store or on-line using sites like Craigslist or eBay. Not only will you be saving natural resources and preventing pollution, you can save quite a bit of money, too. Save even more by buying jackets a size or two bigger than what you need so they last more than one season.

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