Baby Products May Contain Harmful Chemicals

There is growing concern about the potential health implications of the chemicals that leach from some plastics, and especially their possible effects on babies. You may have seen headlines raising concerns about the soft vinyl teethers and toys that infants sometimes suck or chew. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has, as a precaution, recommended that parents dispose of any such items they own.  We think the agency’s advice is sound.

But soft vinyl isn’t the only plastic used in baby products that may contain chemicals that have caused harm to lab animals. We also found that one such chemical leached into simulated infant formula when we heated it in one type of clear plastic baby bottle.

Parents whose infants use plastic bottles and teethers shouldn’t panic. It isn’t yet known what risk, if any, can cause harm to babies. However, until more is known about their effects, it makes sense to limit exposure to them. That’s especially wise when it comes to infants, who could be at highest risk.

What precautionary steps should be taken.

Dispose of: All teethers and heavily mouthed toys made of soft plastic.

Replace with: New items that manufacturers confirm are made from plastics that don’t contain phthalates. Call the toll-free numbers usually found on packaging.

Dispose of: All clear, shiny plastic baby bottles, unless the manufacturer tells you they’re not made of polycarbonate.

Replace with: Bottles made of glass or an opaque, less-shiny plastic (the plastic bottles are often colored).

Many parents are becoming more aware of such problems and are searching out organic products for their children and themselves.