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May 20, 2008 4:17 pm US/Pacific
Study Finds Toxic Chemicals In Baby Products
SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) ―
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Researchers say high levels of flame retardants are found in products like these.
CBS
Toxic chemicals are put into baby and children products on a regular basis, according to a study released Tuesday by a network of environmental organizations.
Assemblyman Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, joined Friends of the Earth at a news conference in San Francisco Tuesday to release the report, "Killer Cribs: Protecting Infants and Children from Toxic Exposure."
The study found that commonly used baby and children products as well as upholstered household furniture contain dangerous levels of toxic chemicals called halogenated fire retardants, according to
Friends of the Earth.
"We sampled a wide variety of children's products, and what we found was alarming," said Sara Schedler, the reports leading author, in a prepared statement. "Toxic chemicals are being put into products that children and babies interact with on a regular basis, endangering their health."
According to Friends of the Earth, the fire retardant chemicals are linked to cancer, birth defects, neurological and other health problems. The chemicals escape from polyurethane foam and filling materials and can then be ingested, the group reported.
Babies can be exposed to the fire retardants in the womb as well as through breast milk, according to the study.
The report found high levels of retardant chemicals in 56 percent of infant carriers, 44 percent of car seats, 40 percent of strollers and 19 percent of portable cribs that were tested.
"It's darkly reminiscent of other public disasters with fire retardants such as asbestos," said Russell Long, of Friends of the Environment.
Leno has sponsored Assembly Bill 706, in an effort to phase out the retardants in California and improve fire safety. The bill has passed the California Assembly and is pending on the California Senate floor.
"Kids shouldn't have to sleep on or play with toxic products that could cause long-term damage to their health," Leno said in a prepared statement. "Our bill would help ensure they don't. It creates smarter and improved fire-safety standards while protecting kids, workers and others from toxic chemical exposure."
According to Friends of the Earth, halogenated fire retardants also have adverse effects on pets and the environment. In addition, firefighters are put at risk because when products with the retardants burn they turn into dioxins.
For more information on the study, visit killercribs.org.
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