THE RIGHT START: THE NEED TO ELIMINATE TOXIC
CHEMICALS FROM BABY PRODUCTS
By the Environment California
Research & Policy Center
A child’s first few years are an exciting time for parents who
hope, if for nothing else, that their child starts his or her life
happy and healthy.
Unfortunately, not all products marketed for children and babies
are completely safe for their use. Many contain
TOXIN CHEMICALS that may have
detrimental health impacts for children exposed during critical
stages of development.
TWO CHEMICALS LINKED TO HEALTH PROBLEMS
The media reports it, scientists have proven it, and American
families are experiencing it: chronic diseases are on the rise in
this country. Cancers, birth defects, childhood asthma, learning and
behavior disorders, even obesity and early puberty are growing more
prevalent in our society.
Scientists do not know why more children are developing these
chronic problems. We do know, however, that this rise in chronic
disease has occurred alongside a rise in the prevalence, use, and
pervasiveness of TOXIN CHEMICALS
in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the consumer products
we use. Many of these CHEMICALS
are associated with chronic disease, and many others have never been
tested for human health impacts. Moreover,
THERE IS OFTEN NO "SAFE DOSE" OF THESE CHEMICALS FOR CHILDREN.
A growing body of evidence shows health effects at low doses, and
chronic, multi-source exposure means that even a small amount of
exposure from a variety of sources may add up to a major concern.
Even products designed for babies and young children contain
CHEMICALS that may pose a health
concern. Unfortunately, because manufacturers are not required to
label these products as containing TOXIN
CHEMICALS, parents have inadequate information to make
wise purchasing decisions. To begin to close this gap, we purchased
some popular baby products and analyzed them for
TWO CHEMICALS OF CONCERN:
• TOXIN FLAME RETARDANTS (or
PBDEs) are a set of CHEMICALS
used to slow the spread of fire in a wide set of consumer products
[THE ORGANIC WOOL WE USE IN OUR MATTRESSES
IS A NATURAL FIRE RETARDANT]. Levels of these
CHEMICALS found in the breast milk of
American women and some fetuses are approaching levels shown to
impair learning and cause behavior problems in lab mice.
• Phthalates are a family of CHEMICALS
used in many plastic children’s products to improve flexibility and
in personal care products to bind fragrance. Adults and children are
exposed to phthalates through everyday contact with these products
as well as through contact with indoor air and dust. These
CHEMICALS have been linked to
premature birth, reproductive defects, and early onset puberty.
FINDINGS: MANY BABY PRODUCTS TESTED CONTAIN
TOXIC CHEMICALS
We selected a sample of a variety of baby products from several
manufacturers and tested them for toxic flame retardants or
phthalates. We found:
• TOXIC FLAME RETARDANTS.
We tested seven infant sleep aids and other products for
TOXIC FLAME RETARDANTS; three of
those products tested positive for PBDEs in the foam material. The
tests found multiple PBDEs in the foam material of the First Years’
Air Flow Sleep Positioner, the Leachco Sleep ‘n Secure 3-in-1 Infant
Sleep Positioner, and the PeeWees Disposable Crib Mattress Pads.
• Phthalates. We tested 18 bath books, teethers, bath toys, and
other products for phthalates; 15 of these products tested positive
for phthalates.
These tests show that some baby products may in fact contain
TOXIC CHEMICALS. Unfortunately,
since manufacturers do not have to label their products as
containing phthalates or TOXIC FLAME
RETARDANTS, parents have no way of knowing whether or not
a product poses a hidden hazard.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PARENTS
Parents have the right to know about
CHEMICALS in the products they purchase for their
children. In the absence of good government regulations, but armed
with the knowledge that some CHEMICALS
are a cause for concern, parents can take a few simple actions to
limit their child’s exposure to these and other
TOXIC CHEMICALS.
At the store, parents should select toys, baby dishware, and
sleep aids made of materials that are less likely to contain
TOXIC CHEMICALS. At home,
parents should avoid washing plastic dishware with harsh dishwashing
soap and hot water, which may allow
chemicals to leach out of the plastic.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR POLICYMAKERS
Parents cannot deal with these issues alone. The state and federal
government must ensure the safety of all products on the market for
children.
PHASE OUT DANGEROUS CHEMICALS
The state and federal government must act based on the overwhelming
weight of evidence showing that some
CHEMICALS might harm human health. In the absence of
federal action, California should phase out the use of
HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS – especially
in children’s products. Manufacturers should be required to remove
CHEMICALS that may pose a
particular threat to fetuses, infants, and children, particularly
when the CHEMICAL is not
necessary for the product to function according to design.
REFORM CHEMICALS POLICY
Currently, manufacturers can put CHEMICALSs
on the market without proving they are safe. Manufacturers should be
required to provide all hazard and health-impact information to the
state and federal government so agencies can begin to assess the
thousands of CHEMICALS currently
on the market for which little or inadequate data are available.
Next, manufacturers of CHEMICALS
should be required to conduct an alternatives analysis, in order to
determine if they really are using the least
HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL for each application.
INFORM CONSUMERS ABOUT THE PRESENCE OF
DANGEROUS CHEMICALS
The state and federal government must inform consumers about the
presence of DANGEROUS CHEMICALS
in products. Manufacturers should be required to label products with
the names of these CHEMICALS in
order to allow parents to choose LESS TOXIC
PRODUCTS.
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