Kids’ Car Seats Still Contain Dangerous Chemicals

Today the nonprofit Ecology Center is releasing its fourth report on toxic chemicals in children’s car seats at www.healthystuff.org.   Their research shows that many of these products are made with dangerous chemicals that can lead to serious health risks for children.

What did they find?

Chemicals tested for include: bromine (associated with brominated flame retardants); chlorine (indicating the presence of polyvinyl chloride, or PVC and plasticizers); lead; and heavy metal allergens.  Such chemicals have been linked to major health problems such as liver, thyroid and developmental problems in children.  Babies are the most vulnerable population in terms of exposure to chemical-laden dust and inhaling toxic fumes, since their systems are still developing.  

The Ecology Center tested over 150 infant, convertible and booster car seats and found that while some are virtually free of the most dangerous chemicals, others are saturated. 

• Brominated flame retardant chemicals that are either deemed toxic or that lack adequate health safety data were detected in 44% percent of the 2011 car seats tested.  
• Over half (60%) of car seats contained one or more hazardous chemicals tested for (including PVC, BFR's and heavy metals).  
• Overall, car seats are improving.  Between 2008 and 2011 average seat ranking improved by 64% (1.5 - 2009 to 0.9 - 2011) and the number of car seats with BFRs declined by 18% (63% 2009 to 44% in 2011)

However, some companies continue to use more potentially hazardous BFRs in their products then others in the industry.  These include Baby Trend (100%), Recaro (100%), Britax (84%).

Car seats are necessary to safeguard children in cars, but hazardous chemicals are not necessary to make a quality car seat for children and infants. Car seats can be designed without BFRs.  Our study now shows that the MAJORITY (56%) car seats tested DO NOT contain BFRs.  However, Healthystuff.org did not test car seats for all hazardous flame retardants, and seats may contain other chemicals hazards.

Curious to see how the different seats did? Go to Healthystuff.org and check out their children’s products section.