When a child starts sucking or chewing on a toy, dirt, germs, and choking aren’t the only threats you need to be concerned about. A report from the Environmental Health Strategy Center released on December 13 shows that 650 name-brand products, including baby toys, contain hormone-disrupting toxic chemicals, such as BPA and NPEs. For baby products, such well-known toys as PLAYMOBIL figures and Chicco rattles are made with BPA.
While banned from baby bottles in some states, such as California, BPA can be found in items ranging from soup cans to receipts – and now baby products. BPA mimics estrogen in the body and can harm a child’s brain and behavioral development. In addition to California, 17 other states have enacted laws against such chemicals in products over the past decade, and a national measure, the Safe Chemicals Act, is in the works.
If it passes, the Safe Chemicals Act would override the Toxic Substances Control Act, which is now 35 years old and has never been revised. Once in place, the Safe Chemicals Act would require chemical manufacturers to disclose health and safety information for compounds and to control harmful substances.
While states are taking on this responsibility for now, companies, such as Johnson & Johnson, are addressing recalls pertaining to chemicals. According to the Associated Press, Johnson & Johnson announced in November that it is removing traces of chemicals from its baby products all over the world. The realization to change began in May 2009, when two possible carcinogens were found in the brand’s popular Baby Shampoo. Additionally, two dozen other products were recalled over two years. Although Johnson & Johnson is still improving, the brand mentioned it has removed phthalates from baby products.
Environmentally-friendly baby products are difficult to come by. Yet, removing chemicals from a baby’s space is crucial. Parents should be able to create such a space for their children, and hopefully the Safe Chemicals Act will allow them to do so.
Chemicals are everywhere, and some of them are linked to cancer risks, behavioral issues, and brain development. Adults are exposed to several chemicals on a daily basis, but should your children be? A recent article published by CNN touches on many common products found in your house – including those babies and children use – that may contain such chemicals as BPA, phthalates, formaldehyde, and PBDEs. The article lists some of the common products that may contain these chemicals, risks associated with them, and alternative products. If you’re concerned about your baby being exposed to any of these, here is a condensed version:
• BPA. This chemical is commonly found in plastic baby bottles and cans with plastic lining, such as formula. A few states already have BPA bans on products, such as cups, designed for children under three years of age. BPA has been linked to cancer risks and behavioral issues in children, as the chemical mimics estrogen when consumed. Stainless steel and glass are alternatives to using plastic with BPA, although various plastic products may be labeled as “BPA free.” If you do have plastic at home, be careful to not heat it when making food.
• Phthalates are plastic softeners and, as a result, are found in various plastic products, such as toys. As children want to put everything in their mouth at a certain age, be careful with the plastic products you purchase, particularly teething rings. Aside from plastic, phthalates are found in shampoos and vinyl items and have been linked as an endocrine disrupter and to ADD/ADHD.
• Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are common flame retardant chemicals that are added to nearly all types of items. If a product is labeled as “flame retardant” or “fire resistant,” it probably contains PBDEs. For your children, such products like foam mattresses, sheets, and clothing may contain PBDEs, and the chemical will also accumulate in dust over time. Because PBDEs may affect brain development, opt for non-fire retardant products, unless they use natural wool for such protection.