Carcigenic chemicals in children's carseats
Font size:
by Aimee Keenan-Greene
Potentially toxic flame retardants have been found in car seats, bassinet mattresses, nursing pillows, high chairs, and strollers.
In all , 80 percent of the polyurethane foam samples, collected from 101 common baby products, tested positive.
Some experts believe exposure to low concentrations of these chemicals may result in irreparable damage to the nervous and reproductive systems.
To the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to report on flame retardants in baby products that contain polyurethane foam and are designed for newborns, infants and toddlers.
The study in the American Chemical Society's journal Environmental Science & Technology, suggests one flame retardant banned years ago in some areas is actually still being used.
Lead author Heather M. Stapleton and colleagues say health concerns led to a phase-out in use of penta brominated diphenyl ethers (pentaBDE), once the most popular flame retardant used before 2004.
In this latest testing, the scientists found compounds associated with pentaBDE, suggesting the substance that's banned in 172 countries and 12 U.S. states, still remains in use.
Also detected are two potential carcinogens, TCEP and TDCPP.
Flame retardants, added during manufacture, reduce the risk of the polyurethane foam from catching fire and to slow down burning if it does.
Future studies are therefore warranted to specifically measure infants exposure to these flame retardants from intimate contact with these products, and to determine if there are any associated health concerns, said researchers.
Source:
“Identification of Flame Retardants in Polyurethane Foam Collected
from Baby Products”, Environmental Science & Technology
Add to:
del.icio.us |
Digg
del.icio.us |
Digg
Email to a friend
Print version
Plain text
Home
Set as homepage
Add to favorites
Mobile site
Rss
Plain text
Archive