Green Bathtubs

March 16, 2005 by Debra Lynn Dadd

Question from C. H.

I am looking for an airjet tub that would be safe. One company [name deleted] said that their urethane tubs are the only green product around. My HVAC guy says that 100% acrylic tubs are inert. However, as far as I can see, the acrylic tubs have a fiberglass and resin shell which is where the problem mostly lies. Any info? 

Also, do you know how to construct a tiled bathtub where the bathtub itself is made of tile? 

Debra's Answer

I contacted the company that is making the claim that their urethane bathtub is "green." Here's what I found out.

Acrylic-lined tubs have a shell of fiberglass. So it's fiberglass on the outside and acrylic on the inside.

The toxic element in fiberglass is polyester resin. Polyester resin has a styrene carrier which outgasses VOCs.

This company replaces the polyester resin in the fiberglass with urethane, which does not outgas, so there are zero VOCs. That's the green claim--that it has zero VOCs.

However, the fiberglass is on the outside of the tub, which usually is completely sealed against a wall or within a tile surround. So whatever VOCs do outgas probably are not going into the room once the tub is installed.

Still I am concerned about the acrylic liner being a plastic and that none of these materials are renewable or biodegradable. Certainly I would call this a less toxic tub, but I would still stay away from any plastic tubs. A standard porcelain -enameled steel tub would still come out ahead.

Update 2020: KALDEWEI is a recommended brand of porcelain-enameled tubs.