Flame retardant free baby clothes

Flame-retardants are used in the USA and Canada for children’s sleepwear, carpet padding, foam cushions, polyester bedding and clothing, wallpaper, and plastics used for computers, fax machines and electronics. Most are made of PBDE, which stands for polybrominated diphenylether. The CPSC requires that children’s pajamas contain flame-retardants or be snug-fitting.

We recommend choosing snug-fitting or wool, a naturally flame resistant material, due to the dangers of a flame-retardant called PBDE, which is added to materials during the manufacturing process in order to reduce the likelihood of the finished product catching fire. Proban and Securest are other names for flame retardants. These dangerous chemicals have been detected in blood, urine and breastmilk. They are embedded in our people, our animals and land. PBDE affects the thyroid, immune system, reproductive system, and liver. It disturbs brain development, learning abilities, hormone function and can cause cancer, hyperactivity (ADD & ADHD), obesity, diabetes and permanent behavioral changes. These are all the same conditions that are increasing in our children today, who happen to be the most highly exposed.

The liver becomes overwhelmed and cannot effectively eliminate toxins. According to animal studies, most problems stem from prenatal exposure and exposure soon after birth. Humans have not reached the same levels found in animals, but these levels are doubling every 2-5 years. PBDE does not break down, it accumulates in fatty tissue and works its way down the food chain.

Flame-retardants are most prevalent in the United States. Concentrations of flame-retardants are 3 times higher in children than in their mothers. Their tiny bodies are not able to excrete toxins as easily as adults and their skin is thinner and highly absorbent. They also have a much higher incidence of hand-to-mouth exposure (10 times that of adults) from household dust.

Human and killer whale babies (today’s canaries in the coal mine) are now born with toxic flame-retardant chemicals in their bodies and receive an additional dose from their mother’s milk. Consumers need to take action to protect themselves, their families, and the environment .