PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS—Legislative Director Anna Aurilio and daughter Renata Mills at a Capitol Hill press conference with Dr. Larry Silver, former president of the Learning disabilities Association of America. Dr. Silver is now a clinical professor of psychiatry at Georgetown Medical Center and spoke about the health effects of toxics in children's products.

Most parents take the necessary measures to childproof their homes for the arrival of a new baby.

But several products marketed for infants contain toxic chemicals that can cause impaired learning and memory, reproductive defects, cancer and impaired immune systems,
charged an Oct. 12 U.S. PIRG report.

“The Right Start,” written by U.S. PIRG Environmental Health Advocate Meghan Purvis, was based on the testing of 25 common baby products found on store shelves.

Toxic Threats Found
Three of the seven infant sleep accessories tested in the study contained toxic flame retardants called PBDEs. The Leachco Sleep ‘n Secure 3-in-1 Infant Sleep Positioner, the First Years’ Air Flow Sleep Positioner, and the PeeWees Disposable Crib Mattress Pad contained the toxic chemical. Safer alternatives are available and state PIRGs have called for a ban on the chemicals in several states.

Fifteen of the 18 bath books, teethers, bath toys and other products tested for phthalates in the study contained these chemicals in their materials.

For example, a teether made by Gund contains DBP, a type of phthalate classified as a reproductive toxicant and banned in the European Union.

One product was labeled “phthalate- free.” But lab tests revealed two types of phthalates, DEHP and DBP, in the Sassy’s Who Loves Baby? Photo Book.

“Toxic chemicals have no place in baby products,” said Purvis. “But there’s no way most parents would even know they’re bringing toxic threats into their homes with these products—their toxic ingredients aren’t listed on the label.”

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a set of chemicals used to slow the spread of fire. Yet they spread so easily in the environment they’re now found in breast milk and some fetuses at levels shown to impair learning and cause behavior problems in mice. The federal government still allows the import of products containing these chemicals, even though there are safer alternatives available.

Phthalates are a class of chemicals used in many plastic products to improve flexibility. These chemicals have been linked to premature birth, reproductive defects and problems associated with the 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.

What Parents Can Do
The report recommended parents avoid allowing children to put polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic toys—those that can leach phthalates— in their mouths.

When washing PVC plastic products, parents were advised to avoid harsh dishwashing soap and hot water, as both of these factors speed up the leaching process. Faster leaching means more phthalates are released from the plastic.

“Still, we can’t expect parents to deal with all of these issues on their own,” said Purvis. “We need our state and federal governments to help parents by ensuring that products on the market are not harmful for children.”

Parents can find more information at www.safefromtoxics.org.