Toxic Flame Retardants In Daycare Nap Mats
Nap time should be filled with sweet dreams, not with toxic flame retardants. Unfortunately, our recent testing has uncovered toxic flame retardants in foam nap mats sold in Washington state.
Nap time should be filled with sweet dreams, not with toxic flame retardants. Unfortunately, our recent testing has uncovered toxic flame retardants in foam nap mats sold in Washington state.
Our findings include:
- 12 of 14 nap mats tested, including mats purchased from major retailers Target and Lakeshore Learning, as well as online retailer Discount School Supply, contained flame retardant chemicals.
- 5 of 14 nap mats contained chlorinated Tris (TDCPP), which is known to cause cancer and was removed from children’s pajamas in the 1970s because of health concerns.
- 7 of 14 nap mats contained chemicals found in the flame retardant Firemaster 550. Recent research has linked the product to obesity, early puberty, and anxiety.
Specific product results are available here.
Children are exposed to flame retardants from nap mats when the chemicals leach out into the air and settle in dust that children touch and ingest. A study of daycares last year found that levels of certain flame retardants, were significantly higher in facilities that used foam nap mats than in daycares that don’t use the products.
The good news is that it doesn't have to be this way. Legislation being considered in Washington state would prohibit the use of toxic flame retardants in children's products. Contact your legislators and tell them to pass this important legislation.
