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U.S. PIRG News Release
New Report Documents Dangerous Chemicals
in Baby Products
Parents Need Information to Protect Their
Kids
WASHINGTON, D.C.– Toxic chemicals can
be found in common baby products, according
to a new report released today by U.S. Public
Interest Research Group. “The Right Start:
The Need to Eliminate Toxic Chemicals from
Baby Products,” documents toxic chemicals,
including phthalates and polybrominated diphenyl
ethers (PBDEs), in teethers, bath books, and
sleep accessories.
“We need to eliminate toxic chemicals
from baby products to give our children the
right start,” said U.S. PIRG Environmental
Health advocate Meghan Purvis. “Our government
should give parents the information they need
to adequately protect their children from
toxic chemicals, and ultimately remove toxic
chemicals from children’s products.”
U.S. PIRG and Environment California tested
seven infant sleep accessories, such as mattress
pads and sleep wedges, for the presence of
PBDEs or toxic flame retardants, and eighteen
other children’s products, such as bath
books and teethers, for the presence of a
set of chemicals known as phthalates. U.S.
PIRG found that:
• Three of the seven infant sleep accessories
tested contained toxic flame retardants in
the foam materials. For example, the Leachco
Sleep ‘n Secure 3-in-1 Infant Sleep Positioner,
and the First Years’ Air Flow Sleep Positioner
contained these chemicals.
• Fifteen of the eighteen bath books,
teethers, bath toys and other products tested
for phthalates contained these chemicals in
their materials. For example, a teether made
by Gund contained DBP, a type of phthalate
classified as a reproductive toxicant and
banned in the European Union.
• One product-- Sassy’s “Who
Loves Baby? Photo Book”-- was labeled
“phthalate-free.” U.S. PIRG’s
research discovered two types of phthalates,
DEHP and DBP, in this product. These two chemicals
are banned in children’s products in
the European Union.
U.S. PIRG released this report today as part
of a nationwide effort to draw attention to
the problem of toxic chemicals in baby products.
More than 20 state PIRGs and Environment groups
released this report.
“Normal brain development is impaired
by exposure to toxins, such as flame retardants
and phthalates, often resulting in learning
and other developmental disabilities. There
is an immense disconnect and unacceptable
delay between scientific data and public awareness
and prevention,” said Dr. Larry Silver,
past president of the Learning Disabilities
Association of America and current Clinical
Professor at Georgetown Medical Center. “PIRG’s
report is a giant step in helping parents
become better informed consumers so they can
protect their children’s health in the
future.”
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEs,
are a set of chemicals used to slow the spread
of fire. These chemicals have been linked
to a host of health concerns, including impaired
learning and memory, reproductive defects,
cancer, and impaired immune systems. In addition,
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 mice. Two of
these chemicals have been banned in nine states,
and the federal government has taken action
to stop new production of these chemicals.
However, the federal government still allows
importation of products containing these chemicals.
Phthalates are a family of chemicals used
in many plastic products to improve flexibility
and in personal care products to bind fragrance
to the product. These chemicals have been
linked to premature birth, reproductive defects,
and early onset of puberty. People are exposed
to phthalates through everyday contact with
household and personal care products, as well
as through contact with indoor air and dust.
The European Union has imposed a ban on three
types of phthalates in all children’s
products, and has banned three other types
from use in mouthing products marketed for
children under three.
In the absence of government information
and protection, U.S. PIRG recommended that
parents avoid allowing children to put polyvinylchloride
(PVC) plastic toys in their mouths, instead
using glass containers for food and drink
storage when possible. In washing plastic
products, parents were advised to avoid harsh
dishwashing soap and hot water, both of which
speed up the leaching process. See tip
sheet for more information.
“Parents cannot be expected to deal
with these issues on their own,” said
Meghan Purvis. “The U.S. government must
act to assist parents and ensure that products
on the market are not potentially harmful
for children.”
State governments are already acting to protect
their citizens. Nine states have phased out
two types of flame retardants from consumer
products, and the California legislature is
considering a proposal to ban phthalates and
another chemical, bisphenol-A, from children’s
products.
U.S. PIRG called on the U.S. government to:
• Phase out the most dangerous chemicals,
particularly from children’s products.
Until the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
acts, U.S. PIRG called on state governments
to fill the regulatory gap and support policies
to phase out potentially hazardous chemicals
as well.
• Reform U.S. chemicals policy to ensure
that manufacturers and industrial users provide
the public with adequate information about
their products. U.S. PIRG called on Senators
to cosponsor the Kid Safe Chemicals Act (S.
1391), which was introduced earlier this year.
• The Consumer Product Safety Commission
(CPSC) should protect consumers from dangerous
products by requiring labels on products that
contain potentially hazardous chemicals, and
then requiring manufacturers to remove chemicals
that pose a particular threat to fetuses,
infants, and children.
Learn about the NaturePedic Safe, Natural
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