How Much Baby Gear Has Toxic Chemicals? More Than You’d Expect

Sorry, moms. You can add this to the list of things to worry about: toxic flame retardants in baby products such as car seats, changing table pads, portable mattresses and even nursing pillows. In a new study published in Environmental Science & Technology, researchers collected 101 polyurethane foam samples from baby products (some old and some purchased as recently as 2010) and tested them for flame retardants such as tris phosphate, finding the chemicals in about 80 percent of them.

According to the study’s authors, these chemicals may pose health risks to babies and kids, and could be linked to tumors and thyroid and hormonal issues (yeah, scary!). They note that the Consumer Product Safety Commission has banned at least one of the chemicals in upholstered furniture, and some are no longer allowed to be used in kids’ sleepwear either. Maybe the next step is getting them out of car seats and nursing pillows! Researchers say more tests need to be done to gauge just how potentially harmful these chemicals are, and just how much of them can get absorbed through the skin. But it sounds like change may be on the horizon.

Do you worry about chemicals in your baby products?

Plus, more from The Bump:
Our Top 10 Strollers
Baby Safety 101
Everything You Need to Know About BPA

-- Elena Donovan Mauer

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