Toxic flame retardant chems found in kid products
Tests performed on dozens of products made for infants and toddlers reveal a surprisingly high percentage contain flame retardant chemicals that are toxic.
The research was done by Dr. Heather Stapleton, a Duke University scientist who's considered a foremost authority on human exposure to toxic flame retardants.
Stapleton analyzed the foam of more than 100 child care items, including bassinet mattresses, crib wedges, breast feeding pillows, changing pads, baby carriers, car seats, high chairs, strollers, portable cribs, walkers and more. According to the study, more than 80 percent of the products contained chemical flame retardants that are considered toxic.
In some cases, the polyurethane foam chemicals were the same potentially cancer-causing chemicals eliminated from children's pajamas in the 70s, are being used in other kids products to retard flames in foam.
"So here we are taking chemicals that we got out of pajamas because it was unsafe, and putting it in products like baby carriers and high chairs,” said Erica Schreder, of the Washington Toxics Coalition. "And there's reason for concern, because they're flame retardants that are linked to problems like cancer as well as neurotoxicity."
What can you do about it? For one thing, experts say try to avoid children's products made with polyurethane foam, look for baby products and furniture filled with cotton, polyester or wool instead. And avoid foam products with labels that say the product meets flammability standards for California. Scientists say this label increases the likelihood that toxic flame retardants are inside.
Child safety advocates want manufacturers to be required to report levels of all toxic chemicals in kids products, including flame retardants commonly used to treat the foam. Research shows the chemical flame retardants found in some of the products tested are also turning up in children's bodies, in our in indoor and outdoor environment, and also in food.
The peer-reviewed study is published in the Environmental Science & Technology Journal.
The research was done by Dr. Heather Stapleton, a Duke University scientist who's considered a foremost authority on human exposure to toxic flame retardants.
Stapleton analyzed the foam of more than 100 child care items, including bassinet mattresses, crib wedges, breast feeding pillows, changing pads, baby carriers, car seats, high chairs, strollers, portable cribs, walkers and more. According to the study, more than 80 percent of the products contained chemical flame retardants that are considered toxic.
In some cases, the polyurethane foam chemicals were the same potentially cancer-causing chemicals eliminated from children's pajamas in the 70s, are being used in other kids products to retard flames in foam.
"So here we are taking chemicals that we got out of pajamas because it was unsafe, and putting it in products like baby carriers and high chairs,” said Erica Schreder, of the Washington Toxics Coalition. "And there's reason for concern, because they're flame retardants that are linked to problems like cancer as well as neurotoxicity."
What can you do about it? For one thing, experts say try to avoid children's products made with polyurethane foam, look for baby products and furniture filled with cotton, polyester or wool instead. And avoid foam products with labels that say the product meets flammability standards for California. Scientists say this label increases the likelihood that toxic flame retardants are inside.
Child safety advocates want manufacturers to be required to report levels of all toxic chemicals in kids products, including flame retardants commonly used to treat the foam. Research shows the chemical flame retardants found in some of the products tested are also turning up in children's bodies, in our in indoor and outdoor environment, and also in food.
The peer-reviewed study is published in the Environmental Science & Technology Journal.
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