What Is PVC Free?

The Coin problems caused by "PVC" are due to the plasticizers rather than the matrix plastic material. The plasticizers such as the phthalates are used in manufacture to make the plastic flexible as well as improve transparency. In manufacture, the plasticizers are not entirely combined with the pvc resin so some remain close to the surface unbound and can evaporate or migrate from there. If it settles on a coin, a thin layer forms and over time can absorb water and environmental contaminants in the air to form acidic "green gunk" which can damage the coin.

Many plastics such as polypropylene, polyethylene, mylar, etc. do not contain PVC or similar plasticizers.

Never seen the "frosty cases" but the answers to others is yes. they are as safe as plastics can be made. Some "archival" flips are made of PVC, but I read they contain very low levels of plasticizers. Mylar type of flips are stiff, tend to crack at folds, but are very safe for storage, I use them for "keepers".

Many coins purchased from even high level dealers arrive in PVC flips since they are less expensive. One nice dealer has a sticker saying it is for short term storage and to remove ASAP. I rinse purchased keeper coins with acetone before final storage. Bryan is correct, most products are safer as Public concern over plasticizers in the bottles and containers we use has intensified and manufacturers are correcting this situation. Our milk cartons will be safer, but if you drop one, they may split

Jim

Great Info desertgem

frosted ~ yes OK

yes ~ zip lock type bags are a polyethylene and are safe if they are thin like the ZipLoc(tm).

plastic 2x2....they should say "archival" or "non-pvc" or "mylar" someplace in the catalog or box, as vinyl flips are still available and used. PVC flips are more flexible than non-pvc mylar flips. It is hard to describe, but if I take one of my mylar 2x2 and fold it into a triangle, I can use it as a guitar pick, it is that stiff. A pvc flip I can't do that, it bends too much.

If you don't have the 2 to compare, email me an address and I will send you one of each so you can feel the difference.

This is somewhat silly, but if you have a sensitive nose you can "sniff hard" against the plastic and if it smells like a vinyl shower curtain, don't use it. I can easily tell a new package of pvc flips that way. Mylar and polyethylene or polypropylene doesn't have that smell of plasticizers.

Jim

p.s. Don't sniff too much

Yep, the cardboard 2x2s should be mylar.