Thursday, February 12, 2009

Children's Bedding and Flame Retardants In Bedding

Why choose organic bedding? The $2.9 billion flame retardant industry fares well in that the toxins (PDBES) in upholstery, carpets, baby seats, and computer plastics do not have to be labeled. Children, the elderly, and baby boomers are considered to be at a higher risk for disease. Yet, everyone, regardless of age, is exposed to toxic flame retardants every day, everywhere.

Tests done with rats shows exposure to flame retardants can result in deficits of learning and memory. A flame retardant chemical may also impact behavior, disrupt endocrine function, irreparably damage reproductive systems and cause thyroid disease.

A study on cats done by Environmental Science & Technology tracked the epidemic of deadly feline hyperthyroid disease back to the 1980s when PBDEs first appeared throughout the home furniture market. PBDE flame retardant that had been ingested by grooming, and absorbed through constant contact with carpets and furniture (and the pets' bedding), revealed an indisputable association with thyroid problems.

The manufacturers of air purifiers have been stating for years that our household indoor air is significantly more polluted that outdoor air. Such is their premise for distributing machines that break down toxins in the air, into harmless components.

Research has shown that indoor air pollutant concentrations are 15 to 50 times higher than outside. In addition to sources such as dust from polyurethane foam and fabric, PBDEs can emit GAS at 84 degrees -- a temperature common inside computers, cars and many households. The gas then clings to dust particles stirred up by normal movement, and we breathe it all in. Our own lungs evidently cannot filter out these horrible chemicals.

PBDE levels in infants and children have shown to be two- to threefold higher than in adults. Babies and toddlers have flame retardants in their bedding, which they spend much time in, flame retardants in their pyjamas (by law), and flame retardants in the upholstery of their car seats, which they come home from the hospital in. At that point in their life, and for several months, babies have NO BLOOD BRAIN BARRIER. Any toxin they eat, drink, and breathe goes into their brain.

The current argument in favor of PDBES permeating almost everything we contact in our home, is that until safe alternatives are found, the benefits outweigh the risk.

I believe it's evident that home fire risks have changed. Far less people smoke now, and smoking used to be the major cause of house fires. Smoke alarms and heat alarms are placed strategically throughout residences by responsible homeowners and landlords.

So it would seem a logical conclusion that to put our children to bed in soft, organic wool bedding would remove a risk of cancers, endocrine problems, learning difficulties, and more horrors.

And wouldn't it be nice for everyone, no matter your age? Our children want us to be there when they grow up and tuck their children into flame retardant-free bedding.

5 comments:

Unknown said...
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Victoria said...

Thanks for your submission to the February edition of the Advice for Women from Women blog carnival.

Sarahbeth Purcell said...

My beloved cat was recently diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and her vet has let me know there is no question it is caused by flame retardant chemicals in furniture, rugs, carpets and other home materials. If you have indoor cats or dogs, it almost all they ever come in contact with. It's scary, and CRIMINAL that this stuff exists and is not kept in check by FDA standards.

Unknown said...
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Unknown said...
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