Products that are made for young children often include flame retardants that make them safer. Unfortunately, many manufacturers use flame retardant chemicals that are toxic to the human body and the environment. That means that everything from car seats to bassinet mattresses could contain polyurethane foam that contains dangerous substances.

Studies have shown that halogenated flame retardants persist in the environment long after products have been discarded. These chemicals also build up in the body, making them progressively more dangerous over time.

Flame retardant products are a good idea, but we cannot sacrifice lifelong health for immediate gains. That’s why we should ban halogenated flame retardants that have been shown to produce toxic effects in the environment and people.

EPA,

We all want products that are safe for our children to use. This is one of the reasons that so many of us purchase flame retardant products for our children. Regardless of whether it’s a mattress or a car seat, we want product that offer the highest levels of safety.

Unfortunately, flame retardant doesn’t always equal safe when it comes to children’s products that contain polyurethane foam. These flame retardant foams have been found to contain numerous toxic chemicals that can damage the healthiness of the environment and humans.

Halogenated flame retardants persist in the environment long after items have been discarded. Consumers think that they are making the smart choice when they purchase these products, but they are contributing to environmental destruction that will plague future generations. To make matters even worse, these toxic chemicals have been found to cause a number of health problems for humans, including higher risks of cancer and damaged DNA. The chemicals build up in the body, making them progressively more dangerous as children use them over time.

We must ban halogenated flame retardants to make sure that all children have the opportunity to lead health lives in a safe environment.

Thank you,

Concerned Parents