The invention is a product, comprising a substrate and a film that limits
the transmission of water vapor comprising a polymer derived from one or
more nonionic monomers polymerized in the presence of at least one
nonionic surfactant and in the absence of ionic surfactants. The cloud
temperature of the at least one nonionic surfactant is preferably less
than the polymerization temperature. The nonionic surfactant is
preferably an alkylene oxide adduct of an alkyl alcohol, alkylbenzene
alcohol or dialkylbenzene alcohol, wherein the number of alkylene oxide
groups is less than or equal to 14. The invention includes a dispersion
formed by polymerizing nonionic monomers at a polymerization temperature
in the presence of at least one nonionic surfactant with a cloud
temperature less than the polymerization temperature; a water vapor
barrier composition; a film formed from the dispersion; a method of
making the dispersion; a method of making a film; and a method of
reducing the ability of water vapor to be transmitted with respect to a
substrate.