FoodConsumer.org, David Liu, Ph.D.
Published October 12, 2005
Many children's products including teethers, mattresses, bath books and sleep accessories contain toxic chemicals, according to a report released October 12, 2005 by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG). The toxic chemicals of concern are mainly phthalates and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs).
The U.S. PIRG released the report in an effect to draw nationwide attention to the problem of toxic chemicals in baby products. More than 20 state PIRGs and Environment groups released this report, according to the U.S. PIRG.
"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."
Tested for flame retardants or PBDEs in the U.S. PIRG's study involved seven infant sleep accessories including mattress pads and sleep wedges. The 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."
Products tested for the presence of phthalates included 18 products such as bath books and teethers. "Fifteen out of the eighteen products tested for phthalates including bath books, teethers, bath toys and other products contained phthalates. For example, a teether made by Gund contained DBP, a type of phthalate classified as a reproductive toxicant and banned in the European Union," according to the U.S. PIRG.
One product, Sassy's "Who Loves Baby? Photo Book", which was labeled "phthalate-free" actually contained two types of phthalates, DEHP and DBP, which have been outlawed in children's products in Europe, but still used in the U.S.
As a matter of fact, PBDEs are not used just in infant's products; they are used in many other household products from TVs, computers, cloth, furniture, floor carpet and many others.
A recent nationwide test conducted by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) found that PBDEs were widely present in household dust at high levels in most of the states, ranging from 41 parts per million (ppm) in Missoula, Montana to 0.6 ppm in Gainesville, Florida.
PBDEs have become the successor of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which were used as flame retardants and have been banned because of their known toxicity. However, one who knows chemistry may be worried that PBDEs should be chemically similar to PCBs and impose a myriad of health risks as PCBs.
The U.S. PIRG states, "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."
Widespread use of flame retardants in household products has indeed become a real concern of many people. Nationwide tests conducted by EWG in September 2003 found record high levels of PBDEs in the breast milk of American mothers. A recent study sponsored by the California Environment Protection Agency and the Seattle-based research group Northwest Environment Watch found that levels of PBDEs in the breast milk of 40 women from Oregon, British Columbia, Montana and Washington State were 20 to 40 times higher than the levels in the breast milk of Japanese and European women.
According to the U.S. PIRG, "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 used as a plasticizer in soft plastics 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," states the U.S. PIRG.
For example, a recent Swedish study of 198 children with persistent allergic symptoms and 202 controls without such symptoms linked the symptoms to n-butyl benzyl phthalate (BBzP) and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) in dust taken from the children's bedrooms.
Another example is a new study published in the September 7th issue of Environmental Health Perspectives, which found that phthalates in human breast milk affect reproductive hormones in baby boys.
Because of the toxicity of phthalates, European Union has banned plasticizers are di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate[EDHP], di-n-butylphthalate [DBP], and benzyl butyl phthalate [BBP]. These plasticizers have been temporarily banned since 1999. They are known reproductive toxins.
The other three plasticizers banned by the European Union from toys and child care items that children can put in their mouth include diisononyl phthalate [DINP], diisodecyl phthalate[DIDP], and di-n-octyl phthalate [DNOP]. The risks of these three plasticizers are uncertain.
Because both phthalates and PBDEs are ubiquitous in the U.S. households, PIRG urges the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to protect consumers from dangerous products by requiring manufacturers to label hazardous chemicals on the products of concern. Manufacturers should be prohibited from manufacturing products that may impose risk on fetuses, infants and children.
PIRG also recommends that parents should not let children put polyvinylchloride or PVC plastic toys in their mouths. As common sense goes, glass, wooden and metal food containers or utilities should preferably be used over plastic containers. It is also advisable that parents not wash plastic products with harsh detergents and hot water, which can wash out the toxic chemicals.'
Still, what parents can do is limited and not foolproof. Thus, the U.S. PIRG calls upon the US government to:
