What’s behind your shower curtain? Vinyl shower curtains contain high concentration of chemicals that may cause serious health problems that are linked to liver damage, damage to the central nervous, respiratory and reproductive systems, according to a new report released Thursday by researchers for the Virginia-based Center for Health, Environment & Justice.

The study indicates that the PVC-containing shower curtains are capable of emitting scores of volatile organic compounds, as well as phthalates, lead, and other potentially harmful materials, into people’s bathrooms. High concentrations of phthalates have been linked to reproductive effects. Some of the curtains tested released measurable quantities of volatile organic compounds into the air, which persisted for nearly a month.

Researchers tested the chemical composition of five unopened polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, plastic shower curtains bought from Bed Bath & Beyond, Kmart, Sears, Target and Wal-Mart.

A previous study, conducted by Environmental Protection Agency researchers also found that plastic shower curtains can emit toxic compounds into the air.

“This smell can make you feel sick, give you a headache, make you feel nauseous or [cause] other health effects,” said Michael Schade, a coauthor of the report, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Some of the chemicals found were identified by the Environmental Protection Agency as hazardous air pollutants, said Stephen Lester, the center's science director and a coauthor of the report, according to the same source.