OT-info on baby products/phthalates/pvc etc

[Guest guest]

Hello,

I just wanted to post this because I referred to PVC and phthalates in my

update about Keira. MD Orthopaedics has told me that their brace and shoes

do not contain any PVCs or phthalates and that is great news! If you read

the info below you can find out more about it and why it is important to

avoid them. This is something I copied from www.checnet.org

<http://www.checnet.org/> . I have mentioned this website before but I think

it is a great website for giving parents information on health and

environmental issues affecting children. I hope you find it informative and

empowering. I have written several children's toy companies and told them

that I will not purchase their products until they eliminate these harmful

chemicals from them. I would encourage you to do the same if you feel so

led.

Halley

November, 2005, U.S. PIRG - Toxic chemicals can be found in common baby

products, according to The Right Start:

<http://uspirg.org/uspirg.asp?id2=19703> The Need to Eliminate Toxic

Chemicals from Baby Products, a recent report by U.S. Public Interest

Research Group and Environment California.

U.S. PIRG and Environment California tested seven infant sleep accessories,

such as mattress pads and sleep wedges, for the presence of the toxic flame

retardants called

<http://www.checnet.org/healthehouse/chemicals/chemicals-detail.asp?Main_ID=

902> polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). They also tested 18 other

children's products, such as bath books and teethers, for the presence of a

set of chemicals known as

<http://www.checnet.org/healthehouse/chemicals/chemicals-detail.asp?Main_ID=

281> phthalates.

The results showed that:

* Three of the seven infant sleep accessories tested contained

<http://www.checnet.org/healthehouse/chemicals/chemicals-detail.asp?Main_ID=

902> PBDEs 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 18 bath books, teethers, bath toys and other products

tested for

<http://www.checnet.org/healthehouse/chemicals/chemicals-detail.asp?Main_ID=

281> phthalates contained these chemicals in their materials. For example, a

teether made by Gund contained

<http://www.checnet.org/healthehouse/chemicals/chemicals-detail.asp?Main_ID=

281> DBP, a type of phthalate classified as a reproductive toxicant. It is

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

<http://www.checnet.org/healthehouse/chemicals/chemicals-detail.asp?Main_ID=

281> phthalates,

<http://www.checnet.org/healthehouse/chemicals/chemicals-detail.asp?Main_ID=

281> DEHP and DBP, in this product. These two chemicals are banned in

children's products in the European Union.

" 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 town 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

<http://www.checnet.org/healthehouse/chemicals/chemicals-detail.asp?Main_ID=

902> 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

<http://www.checnet.org/healthehouse/chemicals/chemicals-detail.asp?Main_ID=

435> 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.

U.S. PIRG calls 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.

In the absence of government information and protection, U.S. PIRG

recommends 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. For a tip sheet and other information, parents can

visit www.safefromtoxics.org

<http://www.checnet.org/healthehouse/education/www.safefromtoxics.org> .