Get Involved: Testing Toxic Baby Products

Tired of toxins in baby toys? So are we!

That's why we're excited about the great work that's going on at the Green Science Policy Institute! They're testing baby products for flame retardant chemicals, but they need your help! The Green Science Policy Institute is seeking donations of one inch square pieces of polyurethane foam only from baby products such as nursing pillows, strollers, infant carriers, or high chairs.

The deadline for donations is March 31, 2010!

Read this statement from Arlene Blum of the Green Science Policy Institute to find out more:

"Our goals are to determine what baby products contain potentially toxic flame retardant chemicals, what chemicals are being used, and whether a California flammability label can tell us if a baby product contains these chemicals. From our previous study we learned that chlorinated tris or TDCPP, a chemical that has been identified as a probable human carcinogen by both the World Health Organization and the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, is commonly added to the foam in furniture to meet the California furniture flammability standard (TB 117).

We have some evidence that chlorinated tris is also being used in foam in baby products and we would like to investigate which baby products. These products do not pose a fire safety hazard and the chemicals, which are could be harming our children’s health, are not of proven benefit in reducing fire risk. Smoke alarms, sprinkler systems, and fire-safe cigarettes are much more effective in reducing fire death and injury."

They are testing polyurethane foam samples from ONLY:

* Nursing pillows

* Strollers

* Infant carriers/car seats

* High chairs

* Bassinets/portable crib mattresses (not regular crib mattresses)

* Rocking/nursing chairs

* Baby harnesses/carriers (e.g. Baby Bjorns)

* Baby seats (often are vibrating seats)

* Baby sleeping support wedges

* Baby head support rests

* Changing pads

* Baby swings

Sample Collection

* Cut ~1 cubic inch of foam from the product. (Removal of the foam near a seam in the outer fabric in an inconspicuous location is best. Duct tape or careful sewing works well to close the opening in the fabric.)

* Wrap the foam sample in aluminum foil and place it in a sealed plastic bag (i.e. ziploc).

* Place the bag containing the foam sample into a second sealed plastic bag.

* Fill out one information label (attached) for each sample and place it in the outer bag.

* Be sure to wash your hands after handling the foam.

* If possible, please send a digital photo of the baby product from which the foam sample was collected. Indicate your name and the type of baby product in the photo file name. Send photos to susan@sfei.org or heather.stapleton@duke.edu.

Send the foam sample(s) to:

Susan Klosterhaus

San Francisco Estuary Institute

7770 Pardee Lane, Oakland, CA 94621

Questions? E-mail info@greensciencepolicy.org or call 510 644-3164.

More information

Our goals are to determine what flame retardant chemicals are being used, what products have these chemicals added to them, and whether or not a California TB117 or TB603 label can be a screening tool for flame retardants. From our previous study we learned that TDCPP or chlorinated tris, a chemical that has been identified as a probable human carcinogen by both the World Health Organization and the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, is commonly added to the foam in furniture to meet the CA furniture flammability standard (TB 117). We have preliminary data that it is also being used in foam in baby products and we would like to know how often these chemicals are used in baby products. These products do not pose a fire safety hazard and the chemicals, which are potentially impacting children’s health, are of limited benefit in reducing fire risk. Smoke alarms, sprinkler systems, and fire-safe cigarettes are much more effective in reducing fire death and injury.

Please fill out one questionnaire per sample and place in the outer ziploc bag. Note that a product is considered to have a label if it contains the following text attached to or on the product:

THIS ARTICLE MEETS THE FLAMMABILITY REQUIREMENTS OF CALIFORNIA BUREAU OF HOME FURNISHINGS TECHNICAL BULLETIN 117 (TB117) or TECHNICAL BULLETIN 603 (TB603).

CARE SHOULD BE EXERCISED NEAR OPEN FLAME OR WITH BURNING CIGARETTES.

Name:________________________________________________________________________

Email:________________________________________________________________________

Type of baby product, brand and model:_________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

Year purchased (if unknown please estimate):____________________________________

Is there a label specifying the filling material in the product?___________________________

If so, what is the filling material? ______________________________________________

Is there a TB117 or TB603 label on the product? If so, which one?_______________________