It's been a while since I've posted, but I have a good excuse: I recently gave birth to a beautiful and healthy baby boy. While in the hospital, I was reflecting on the ostensibly pristine nature of the new human body just pulled from the womb, where it was protected and nutured for nine months. The truth is, however, that even before seeing the light of the world he will inhabit for the rest of his life, a baby may have already been exposed to toxins. I did my very best while pregnant to avoid such things, but we live in a world so permeated with chemicals that even vigiliant moms-to-be will undoubtedly be exposed to noxious and questionable chemicals.
That being said, I've been making a concerted effort to provide my son with a healthy, toxin-free environment. I've been successful on some fronts, not-so-successful on others. I try to use Seventh Generation chlorine-free diapers as often as possible, though they only absorb one "pee" and are difficult for me to obtain. I always wash my baby's clothes in Seventh Generation non-petroleum-based laundry detergent (as well as my own clothes). I only use non-toxic household cleaners in the kitchen, except for my wet Swifter. And I use Seventh Generation dishwashing soap. But what of the Johnson & Johnson Baby Wash that the nurses used to give my son his first bath in the hospital, the baby wash I use to give him his baths at home? What about his bassinet? What about his non-organic cotton clothes?
One purchase I've just made is a crib mattress free of PVCs and other chemicals commonly found in crib mattresses. It's called the No-Compromise Natural Crib Mattress, made by NaturePedic. Typical crib mattresses are comprised of materials like polyurethane, vinyl/PVCs and fire retardants that, over their lives, release chemicals. With your baby's face or head pressed closely against that material for at least two years, it would seem a worthy investment to purchase a mattress that does not contain such chemicals. The problem is the price. The mattress I purchased is $219.00. I felt like it was a very worthwhile investment, but I can understand why many parents would feel such a mattress is beyond their means, especially when the typical crib mattress can run as low as $40. My hope is that the more people buy such products, the more affordable they will become. But I would urge people to consider making this investment and scrimping elsewhere, perhaps even buying a used crib (which might even be a healthier choice, considering the chemicals in the wood treatment will have had more time to release.)
One thing I find interesting is that the technology certainly exists to rid products--especially baby products--of these foul ingredients. But until consumers demand healthier products, and until the government makes the dangers of these ingredients known, we will be stuck with the same old PVC-laden crib mattresses.
Below is an article from U.S. PIRG regarding noxious chemicals in baby products. It is important that this information get circulated, as most consumers are totally in the dark about these things and would heartbroken if they learned the products they bought for their children could possibly be harmful. My mother, for instance, simply will not believe that baby products could have harmful effects--"the government wouldn't allow this to happen," she says. The problem? The government has allowed this to happen. And it will continue to do so until we speak up.
In the meantime, here is a link to Green Home, an environmental products website that sells the NaturePedic crib mattress. I bought through them since their shipping was half the price of shipping charged by NaturePedic if you buy through their website: Green Home NOTE: Since writing this post, Green Home has dramatically increased the price of the No Compromise crib mattress. They are now asking $290.00 for it. Other outlets sell it for far cheaper, so a simple Google search should bring up other, less-expensive options.
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 Crib Mattress
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