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Fire Retardants in Crib Mattresses Linked to Developmental Problems in Children, Study Says

Parents have a growing concern about the toxicity of fire retardants. This concern is often focused on PBDEs, commonly used toxic flame retardant chemicals that are in just about everything. Should we be concerned? According to a unique study conducted by The Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the answer is a very definite yes. And it's especially important to avoid these chemicals in crib mattresses and other children's products.

 

The researchers on this unique study analyzed the cord blood of 210 infants and then followed up for the next six years. The children were tested at 12, 24, 36, 48 and 72 months for psychomotor development, mental development, performance IQ, verbal IQ and full-scale IQ.

 

The results showed that children with PBDEs in their cord blood scored significantly lower on the later tests. In fact, the higher the prenatal exposure to PBDEs, the lower the scores. Scores on some tests were as much at 10.9 points lower than the scores of children with less prenatal exposure.

 

PBDEs are widely used flame-retardant chemicals in everything from carpets, upholstery and drapery fabrics, clothing, mattresses and furniture to appliances, insulation, building materials, computers and other electronic equipment. The products include crib mattresses, children's clothing and other children's products.

 

It is especially important to protect children from these chemicals as their bodies are not fully developed and are less able to eliminate them from their body than adults. In fact, it's even difficult for adults to get rid of them, which is how the babies ended up with PBDEs in their cord blood – passed from mom to baby.

How do PBDEs get into our system?

 

In addition to PBDEs getting transferred from mom, and dad, to baby, children are exposed to PBDEs after they are born. Because PBDEs are simply added to products rather than chemically bound to them, they can be released into the air, lodge in dust, and anywhere else they happen to land, where they can be inhaled and even ingested.

 

So, for a baby, PBDE exposure never really stops. The exposure starts in the womb and just keeps on going.

 

Also, PBDEs don't break down easily; once they're in the body they tend to stay there. This also means they accumulate in the body with additional exposure and the levels just keep going up.

 

What can you do about it?

 

As the PDBEs in your home can be airborne, it's important to use a vacuum with a HEPA filter as well as air-filtering devices. But the most important step you can take is to phase out PBDEs in your own home. Instead, choose products that do not contain "PBDEs", "brominated fire retardants" or "Deca."

 

Many furniture manufacturers and stores, like Ikea, are conscious of the dangers of PBDEs and offer PBDE-free furniture. Walmart has also banned all products containing PBDE from their stores. They will begin testing products as of June, 2011, to make sure.

 

For textiles, draperies, upholstered furniture, mattresses, and so on, look for fibers that are naturally fire retardant – organic cotton and wool are good examples. And always check with the manufacturer if there is no information on the label.

 

Anyone who is a potential father or mother should start getting rid of PBDEs and other harmful chemicals right now. You might even want to check with your health practitioner – one who is familiar and experienced with detoxification - to see if there's a way to eliminate PBDEs from your body. And once the baby is born, start them off with a PDBE-free crib mattress, a certified organic crib mattress is best as they are generally PBDE-free as well as being free of other potentially harmful chemicals, and PBDE-free clothing, furniture and other children's products.

 

Getting rid of toxic chemicals will give your child the best start in life, and the best chance for a good future.

About the Author

Gloria MacTaggart is a freelance writer who writes about health, medicine, and alternative solutions.

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