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New Study on Chemicals in Car Seats Finds Toxic Flame Retardants Still Widely Used

HealthyStuff.org recently released a new study on toxic chemicals in children's car seats. Environmental scientists at the Ecology Center said that this year's findings were an improvement from previous years, however there are still toxic chemicals found in car seats.

This year's study, titled "Traveling with Toxics," focuses particularly on flame retardants, which continue to be used despite there being no data showing they provide a fire safety benefit to children. According to HealthyStuff, car seats that have the flame retardants put babies and young children in close contact with chemical additives that are known to be carcinogens, hormone disruptors and developmental toxicants. Babies are the most vulnerable population in terms of exposure to chemical-laden dust from products like car seats, since their systems are still developing.

"It is essential that parents put their kids in properly installed car seats, which provide vital crash protection, regardless of chemical hazard," said the Ecology Center's Research Director, Jeff Gearhart. "However, there are some seats that are healthier than others in terms of toxic chemical content."

Fifteen infant and toddler car seats purchased in 2016 were tested, including two from the United Kingdom, Three different analytical techniques were used: X-ray fluorescence, infrared spectroscopy, and gas chromatography with mass spectrometry.

 


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Name Date
Traveling with Toxics Dec 1, 2016

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