Polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, handbags or purses are not manufactured with skin from animals like leather handbags are. When choosing either material, women consider factors such as safety hazards, durability and eco-friendliness.

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Safety hazards

PVC handbags contain chemicals including lead and mercury, according to the Center for Environmental Health. These toxins are linked to learning and developmental disabilities and cancer. Although killing animals to obtain leather is harmful to animals, leather handbags are less toxic than PVC handbags.

Durability

PVC handbags are not as durable as leather handbags. Leather handbags may change by oxidizing with age, but PVC handbags eventually crack or tear.

Eco-friendliness

Many individuals desire to save the planet by protecting crops and livestock. As a result, they refrain from using products produced through cruelty to animals and purchase PVC as opposed to leather handbags.