Toxic Crib Mattresses
The vinyl used in baby mattresses, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), is originally a hard plastic. Chemicals called phthalates are used to soften the plastic. Numerous studies indicate that breathing in phthalates can be especially detrimental to the health of young children. In February 2009, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission banned more than a minimal use of six types of phthalates in baby mattresses.
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Link to Respiratory Problems
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In 2000, the international journal "Environmental Health" published a study conducted by Anderson Laboratories Inc. in which mice breathed the emissions from four brands of crib mattresses for two one-hour periods. The study found that emissions caused various combinations of upper-airways irritation (such as sensory irritation), lower-airways irritation (pulmonary irritation) and decreases in mid-expiratory airflow velocity. The largest airflow decrease (affecting 26 percent of the breaths) occurred from a polyurethane foam pad covered with vinyl.
Link to Reproductive Risks
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In 2003 the American Academy of Pediatrics reported that phthalates can cause fetal death, malformations and reproductive toxicity in laboratory animals, although studies on humans are inconclusive. It also found that children may be at a higher risk for the adverse effects of phthalates because of the anticipated higher levels of exposure during a time of developmental and physiologic immaturity.
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Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act
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The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act was signed into law Aug. 14, 2008, in response to heightened concern about the harmful risk of certain phthalates and other chemicals in children's products. The act banned the sale of certain products containing phthalates, including crib mattresses, effective Feb. 10, 2009. On Nov. 13, 2008, the law firm Arent Fox on behalf of unidentified corporate clients, asked the Consumer Product Safety Commission to apply the ban only on the production--and not sale--of baby products that contain phthalates, to which commission agreed.
Lawsuit
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In December 2008, the Natural Resources Defense Council Inc. and Public Citizen Inc. filed a lawsuit against the Consumer Product Safety Commission that would force the phthalates ban to apply to both the production and sale of baby products containing phthalates. In February 2009, the court ordered that the prohibition on phthalates would apply to products in inventory as well as newly manufactured products.
State Standards
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reported in December 2009 that in addition to federal guidelines, the states of California, Vermont and Washington had established standards for the content of certain phthalates in children's articles including baby mattresses. Other states such as Hawaii have introduced legislation to prohibit the manufacture, sale or distribution of certain toys and child-care articles containing certain types of phthalates, according to the EPA.
EPA Addresses Phthalates
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In December 2009, the Environmental Protection Agency reported that despite the Consumer Product Safety Commission ban of certain phthalates in crib mattresses and other baby products, phthalates exposures are still a potential concern for children's health based on the well-characterized health effects of phthalate exposure in animals. The report said the EPA believes that the cumulative health risks of phthalates should be assessed to determine what actions are warranted to ensure protection of children's health from this entire group of chemicals.
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References
- Heldref Publications: Environmental Health Journal; Respiratory Toxicity of Mattress Emissions in Mice
- American Academy of Pediatrics Journal: Pediatric Exposure and Potential Toxicity of Phthalate Plasticizers
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: CPSC Issues Guidance For Complying With Phthalates Requirements In New Child Safety Law
- National Resources Defense Council, Inc. and Public Citizen, Inc. v. CPSC: Order
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Phthalates Action Plan
