Hidden Hazard In Your Nursery?
Parents have a lot to worry about these days; everything from healthy food choices to a good education. However, there are some things parents should not have to think about, namely the safety of kids’ products. Unfortunately, parents need to be aware that there are real health dangers hiding in some of the products on the market. A new report, Hidden Hazards in the Nursery, has found toxic Tris flame retardants in many popular baby products, including nursing pillows and car seats.
Parents have a lot to worry about these days; everything from healthy food choices to a good education. However, there are some things parents should not have to think about, namely the safety of kids’ products. Unfortunately, parents need to be aware that there are real health dangers hiding in some of the products on the market. Companies are not required to label their products, which leaves consumers in the dark as to what may be lurking in the products they buy. And what parent wants to gamble with their child’s health?
A new report, Hidden Hazards in the Nursery, has found toxic Tris flame retardants in many popular baby products, including nursing pillows and car seats. 85% of the products tested contained these chemicals, which are linked to cancer, hormone disruption, and other health effects. 80% of the products contained chlorinated Tris (TDCPP), which was used in children’s pajamas back in the 1970’s and was removed when it was found to be mutagenic, making it potentially cancer-causing.
Don’t despair though! The news isn’t all bad. There are manufacturers, such as, Boppy, Eddie Bauer, Orbit Baby, and BabyBjorn, who choose to not use these dangerous chemicals in their products. Instead, they use natural alternatives, like a blend of cotton and wool, metal, glass, ceramic and polyester fill, which meets state and federal safety standards without the use of toxic chemicals.
The other good news is that states are once again taking it upon themselves to try and fix this issue. This session the Washington legislature will consider the Toxic-Free Kids Act, which would ban the use of two toxic Tris flame retardants in children’s products beginning July 1, 2014. It also addresses the problem of substituting one harmful chemical for another by requiring makers of children’s products that contain other dangerous chemicals to conduct thorough health and safety assessments of potential alternatives.
You can help by letting your Senator and Representatives know that this is something you care about and it is imperative that it be passed.
To learn more about the Tris chemicals and the findings of the report, click here. It is better to be aware of the dangers that exist and take action against them, than hide from the facts and allow this toxic treadmill to continue to destroy lives.
