Study Finds Toxic or Untested Chemicals in Baby Products
A new study released Wednesday examined the chemical makeup of baby products containing polyurethane foam, such as nursing pillows, changing table pads, high chairs, car seats and certain strollers.
The study, published in the Environmental Science & Technology Journal, found that out of 101 commonly used baby products, 80 of them contained high levels of a flame-retardant additive, which is supposed to protect children from fires. While the levels found were all legal, the chemicals have been linked to cancer, loss of fertility and other negative health effects in animal studies. Some of them, including TCEP and Penta-BDE, have even been banned in other countries.
"Toxic or untested flame retardants like the ones found in this study can migrate out of products and end up in our homes and our bodies. These chemicals are associated with adverse human health effects including reduced IQ, increased time to pregnancy, endocrine and thyroid disruption, and impaired child development," says Arlene Blum, co-author of the study and executive director of the Green Science Policy Institute.
So, how did these chemicals make their way into our baby products in the first place? Blum says it all comes down to California-state law TB 117 which requires that polyurethane foam in upholstered furniture be able to withstand an open flame for 12 seconds without catching fire. Since California is a huge market, it is able to influence manufacturers to comply with the standards for products nationwide. Not surprisingly, many activist groups are calling for a repeal of California TB 117.
The scary part for parents is that manufacturers are not required to label products with flame retardants or list exactly which chemicals are used. Until more information is disclosed, the study lists four baby product brands -- BabyLuxe Organic, Baby Bjorn, Orbit Baby and Boppy -- that meet California's standards without chemical flame retardants.
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