Latest news with #GreenSciencePolicyInstitute
Forbes
3 days ago
- Health
- Forbes
How Children Are Exposed To Brain-Harming Chemicals From Mattresses
Babies and young children may breathe and absorb phthalates, flame retardants, and other harmful ... More chemicals from their mattresses while they sleep, according to recent research from the University of Toronto. Every parent wants their child to sleep safely and soundly. Yet, recent research led by the University of Toronto and co-authored by the Green Science Policy Institute has uncovered a disturbing reality: the very mattresses our babies and young children sleep on may be exposing them to a cocktail of harmful chemicals, including phthalates and flame retardants, night after night. The first study detected concerning levels of more than two dozen phthalates, flame retardants, and UV-filters in the air of young children's bedrooms, with the highest levels lurking around the beds. A companion study testing 16 newly purchased children's mattresses confirmed that they are likely the major source of these chemicals in children's sleeping environments. When the researchers simulated a child's body temperature and weight on the mattresses, chemical emissions surged. The phthalates and organophosphate ester flame retardants measured in this study are hormone disruptors and linked to neurological harms, including learning disorders, reduced IQ scores, behavioral problems, and impaired memory. Some are also linked to childhood asthma and cancer. Several UV-filters are hormone disruptors. Young children are not just 'little adults.' Their developing bodies and brains, higher breathing rates, and hand-to-mouth behaviors make them especially susceptible to the harms of these chemicals. Babies can spend up to 18 hours a day sleeping, meaning their contact with mattresses is prolonged and intimate. Their skin is more permeable, and their surface area relative to body weight is three times that of adults, further increasing their risk. Critically, once a child's brain development is disrupted, the consequences can be permanent and lifelong. The mattresses were purchased in Canada, but most contained materials originating from other countries including the U.S. and Mexico. Because of integrated mattress markets and supply chains, the results are likely to apply to mattresses purchased throughout North America. The high levels of flame retardants in most of the mattresses tested were therefore puzzling, given these chemicals are not necessary to pass neither Canadian nor U.S. mattress flammability standards. Both countries' updated regulations allow mattresses to pass safety tests without the use of added flame retardants. Flame retardants are linked to neurological, reproductive, and hormonal harm as well as cancer, and also have no proven fire-safety benefit as used in mattresses. It was unclear whether the chemicals were intentionally added or present due to supply chain contamination. Several mattresses had chemicals that are banned or restricted in Canada, suggesting that manufacturers are not currently testing children's mattresses for these chemicals and other unnecessary chemicals before putting them on the market. While the burden should not fall on parents to ensure chemical safety of mattresses, there are immediate steps families can take to reduce exposure: · Declutter the sleeping area: Limit the number of pillows, blankets, and toys, as these can also harbor or emit chemicals. · Wash bedding frequently: Bedding and pajamas act as a barrier between your child and the mattress. Regular washing helps remove any chemicals that may accumulate. · Opt for undyed or neutral-colored bedding: Brightly colored fabrics may require additional chemical additives, including UV-filters and plasticizers. · Advocate for change: Write to manufacturers to demand transparency and safer products, and support policies that restrict harmful chemicals in children's products. The findings from these studies are a wake-up call for mattress manufacturers and policymakers. Perhaps the most important takeaway is that manufacturers must test their products for these substances and take other precautions to ensure clean supply chains before the products reach the market. For example, the UK's mattress trade association reacted to the study by issuing guidance for its members. The group calls on manufacturers to work with their supply chains to ascertain the presence of certain chemicals in raw materials as it is already possible to produce a specification for mattresses where they are not present. Governments must also prioritize children's environmental health by implementing more stringent regulations on chemical use in mattresses and other children's products, requiring transparency from manufacturers, and investing in research that further clarifies these connections between environmental exposures and health harms. Every child deserves the right to a safe sleep environment free from invisible chemical hazards that threaten their development, their potential, and ultimately their future.
The Guardian
21-04-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
New research finds alarming levels of toxic chemicals in children's mattresses
Alarming levels of highly toxic phthalates, flame retardants and UV filters in the air in small children's bedrooms likely stems from kids' mattresses off-gassing the chemicals, new research suggests. The peer-reviewed study measured air in the rooms of children under four years old, and the highest volumes were detected around the kids' beds. An accompanying study checked for the same chemicals in 16 common kids mattress brands, and found them at concerning levels in each. The chemicals are semi-volatile, meaning they can lift off objects and seep into the air over time, and a simulation then found the warmth and weight of a sleeping child could increase the off-gassing. The chemicals can then be inhaled, absorbed by the skin, or attach to dust and be ingested. Researchers were 'very surprised' by the chemical levels, said Miriam Diamond, a study co-author and environmental chemist at the University of Toronto. One mattress's weight was 3% flame retardant. 'We were really shocked to find what was in the mattresses,' Diamond said. 'The kids are getting quite a dose of this stuff.' The study was done in partnership with the Green Science Policy Institute in California. Phthalates and flame retardants are classes of chemicals with compounds linked to serious health issues like cancer, reproductive harm, genital malformation, neurological damage, hormonal disruption and early puberty. Exposure to some types of flame retardants is strongly linked to lower IQs in children. Phthalates are typically used as plasticizers that help materials bend, and are added to plastic mattress covers, but they were also detected in non-plastic covers, which surprised the authors, Diamond said. Some types of phthalates are restricted for use in children's products in the US because of their high toxicity, and the levels in four mattresses exceeded those. No limits exist for other concerning phthalate compounds. UV filters are added to textiles to prevent dyes from deteriorating, and research has increasingly raised concerns about potential health effects. Mattresses need to meet flammability standards to prevent fires from spreading, so most companies use flame retardants. However, public health advocates and even some firefighting organizations say flame retardants are largely ineffective and do more harm than good because of their toxicity both to people exposed to them in products, and firefighters who encounter them in smoke. No federal limits for flame retardant levels in mattresses exist in the US or Canada, but several types of flame retardants that are outright banned in one of the countries, or restricted from use in kids' products, were found in the mattresses. TCEP, for example, constituted 1% of the weight of one mattress. Sign up to Detox Your Kitchen A seven-week expert course to help you avoid chemicals in your food and groceries. after newsletter promotion Researchers didn't name the mattress companies but said the products were among common brands sold in the US and Canada for under $150. The mattresses contained materials from unknown countries in addition to China, Turkey and Mexico, so the country of production is unlikely to make a difference, Diamond said. For those seeking to take some steps to protect themselves, look for mattresses that don't have flame retardants, or use an alternative, like wool – though those mattresses are typically more expensive. Mattresses made of natural materials such as cotton or latex are less likely to have phthalates, though it's not a guarantee. Setting mattresses outside to off-gas after purchase can help get rid of some chemicals, but not all, as phthalates and flame retardants could take years to seep away. Diamond said adding a protective barrier like a terry cloth towel that's good at absorbing chemicals can be helpful. But ultimately, 'the onus is on the mattress manufacturers' to stop using toxic chemicals, Diamond said. 'The mattress manufacturers need to be more vigilant,' she added.
The Hill
15-04-2025
- Health
- The Hill
Mattresses releasing dangerous chemicals in children's bedrooms: Studies
Invisible chemicals rising from children's mattresses may be harming their brains and bodies. That's according to a pair of studies published on Tuesday, which found troubling levels of plastic-like 'phthalate' chemicals and flame retardants in the bedrooms of children under four. 'Parents should be able to lay their children down for sleep knowing they are safe and snug,' said co-author Arlene Blum, Executive Director of the Green Science Policy Institute, in a statement. While there are some steps that parents can take to help keep their kids safe, the problem is pervasive, researchers argued. The Canadian scientists found that found that the weight and temperature of the sleeping child helped create a plume of trace chemicals that filled their bedrooms. These chemicals can harm the nervous and reproductive system. They also mimic and interfere with systems of hormones, or chemical messengers that help control virtually all bodily functions. The researchers from the University of Toronto argued that much of the responsibility lies with manufacturers and policymakers. Decades-long campaigns have sought to ban phthalates and plasticizers in children's toys and furniture, with limited success. Even where these efforts have been successful, manufacturers don't always follow them, and government regulators often don't enforce them. Tuesday's study found several mattresses containing chemicals that were banned in Canada — suggesting manufacturers weren't testing for compounds known to be harmful. This controversy is particularly fierce around flame retardants, which Blum noted 'have a long history of harming our children's cognitive function and ability to learn.' Similar chemicals are required by law in the interior of cars — where a 2024 study found that they increased cancer risks for tens of millions of commuters. Those requirements remain despite repeated findings that so-called flame retardants do little to slow the spread of fire. They do, however, make those fires 'smokier and more toxic,' as a spokesperson from the International Association of Firefighters said last year. Mattresses across North America may pose a similar threat, Tuesday's findings found. Despite some benefits in reducing flammability, federal research from the National Institute of Environmental Health Service (NIEHS) has found flame retardant chemicals cause widespread, insidious harms as they slough off mattresses and furniture. These include links to impaired attention, cognition and fine motor skills in school age children. And for phthalates, which are used to make plastic-derived compounds more supple, researchers have found that there may be no safe level of exposure. Phthalates alone caused nearly $70 billion in added health costs just in 2018, a 2024 study found. Copious research has found that exposure to phthalates and flame retardants is harmful to people of all ages. But NIEHS notes that the risk is particularly stark for children. That's because children breathe up to ten times faster than adults — allowing them to take in far more airborne contaminants. Their skin is also more permeable to toxins than adults', and they frequently put potentially toxic objects from their homes into their mouths. In Tuesday's findings, scientists focused on manufacturers and North American governments, who they said had to do more to ban dangerous plasticizers and flame retardants from mattresses and toys. But there are some things that parents and caregivers can do, they said. First, wash and change a child's sheets and blankets frequently, because these offer the best shield against the mattress. Second, they continued, declutter the sleeping area by removing excess blankets and toys — which are likely sources of contamination themselves. Finally, they advised avoiding bright-colored sheets and blankets, which often include chemicals meant to block the assault of ultraviolet light — compounds which pose an additional threat. But the researchers emphasized that this was not a problem parents could solve for themselves. The study is 'a wake-up call for manufacturers and policymakers to ensure our children's beds are safe,' coauthor Miriam Diamond of University of Toronto said in a statement.
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Lawmakers propose sweeping changes to products allowed in homes in multiple states: 'The more we look, the more we find'
New Mexico could become the latest state to restrict the use of harmful PFAS chemicals in the manufacturing of several household products. As reported by New Mexico Political Report, the legislation would aim to stop manufacturers from being able to intentionally add PFAS in a variety of common household goods such as carpets, feminine hygiene products, cosmetics, and cookware. If enacted, New Mexico would join 13 other states in having legislation to restrict the use of the chemicals. The legislation, known as HB 212, would be implemented in two phases, with the first going into effect in 2027. This first stage would prohibit the sale of some PFAS-containing products, such as cookware, food packaging, dental floss, and products aimed at children. Do you worry about having toxic forever chemicals in your home? Majorly Sometimes Not really I don't know enough about them Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. The second phase would then follow in 2028, restricting the sale of products such as carpets and other textiles, cleaning products, cosmetics, feminine hygiene products, and upholstered furniture. PFAS are a group of highly toxic chemicals that are widely used. Known as forever chemicals, they can take hundreds or thousands of years to break down and can also accumulate in our bodies, where they have been linked to a number of health issues, such as decreased fertility and an increased risk of asthma and thyroid disease, as well as some cancers. The move to ban PFAS forces manufacturers to look for alternatives that aren't as damaging to our health and the environment. There are already lots of PFAS-free products available that can help you keep the substances out of your home. For example, you could switch non-stick pans that contain PFAS for cast iron and stainless steel ones. PFAS Central, a project of the Green Science Policy Institute in partnership with Northeastern University, provides a list of brands that are PFAS-free to help you make informed choices. The proposed legislation comes with PFAS in the environment impacting communities. "The more we look, the more we find, and our ability to look is limited by our own budget," said New Mexico Environment Department Secretary James Kenney, per New Mexico Political Report. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Flame retardants in some batteries might be making fires worse
As wildfires devastated communities in southern California over the past three weeks, an unknown number of highly combustible lithium-ion batteries found in everything from Apple AirPods to Tesla Cybertrucks were engulfed in flames and released dangerous chemical pollutants into the air. Many batteries, particularly in E-Bikes and other products with plastic recharge battery enclosures, have flame retardants added to their outer coatings in an effort to limit their flammability. But researchers writing this week in the journal Environmental Science & Technology say those flame retardants don't seem to be doing much to quell a fire's spread and may actually be releasing more health-endangering toxins into the air. 'Historically, flame retardant use to meet flammability standards has resulted in documented health risks without demonstrated fire-safety benefits for products such as children's products, furniture, and electronics,' scientists from the Green Science Policy Institute wrote in the article. 'We question requirements that lead to the addition of flame retardants in plastic battery enclosures,' they added. Batteries present unique challenges due to the strength and duration at which they burn. When damaged or exposed to high temperatures, like during a fire, a chain reaction called 'thermal runaway' occurs causing the battery to heat up uncontrollably until it finally combusts. These fires are notoriously difficult to quell because they burn at extremely high temperatures and have the ability to reignite. That's especially true in large electric vehicle batteries which contain far more stored energy than ones found in smaller consumer electronic devices. A single Tesla Model S electric vehicle, for context, reportedly has as much lithium to make as roughly ten thousand iPhones. Battery fires are also dangerously unpredictable. Damage caused to a battery might not lead to a fireball for days or even months later. That means clean-up crews tasked with removing these batteries from areas following fires have to assume they are dealing with invisible, ticking time bombs. [ Related: Electric vehicle fires are rare, but challenging to extinguish ] In response to those threats, some lithium-ion battery manufacturers have begun using a plastic coating that includes fire retardants in order to meet state flammability standards. Green Science Policy Institute Senior Scientist Lydia Jahl says this practice might be doing more harm than good. As of now, Jahl and her colleagues say there is a lack of clear research proving these chemicals actually do much of anything to slow down battery fires. Jahl says it is unclear what percentage of lithium-ion batteries on the market today are using these chemicals, but they tested several E-bike brands which showed multiple markers of flame retardants in their plastic enclosures. The concern, she noted, is that companies trying to abide by state flame ratings and safety standards may opt to turn to cheap plastics that are coated with flame retardants. Jahl noted these same retardant chemicals have also been added into the electrolyte solution of EV batteries. Once a battery gets damaged or exposed to high temperatures and the chemical reaction begins, the ensuing fire is simply too powerful for these retardants to efficiently mitigate. 'Trying to stop thermal runaway fires by adding flame retardants to plastic is like adding a screen door to a submarine,' Ignition Handbook author and fire scientist Vyto Babrauskas said in a statement. 'It's a futile effort against an overwhelming force.' If thermal runaway does occur, flame retardants might help for a couple of seconds, but they won't be able to contain the fire on their own. Eventually, the fire retardants themselves burn and release additional toxic chemicals into the air. The retardants mentioned by the researchers primarily use the chemicals organohalogens and organophosphates. Past studies have shown these may be linked to increased risks for potential neurological, reproductive, and immune harm when burned and inhaled. They are also linked to increased risks for multiple cancers. 'When you have a wildfire that goes over an urban area, there's just a whole wide mixture of things that are burning,' Jahl said. 'The battery enclosures and all the plastic in people's homes, all of that can get mixed into that terrible plume of wildfire smoke.' [ Related: We need safer ways to recycle electric car and cellphone batteries ] The sheer amount and growing size of lithium-ion batteries used everyday by consumers are making already deadly natural disaster events more complex. Though these types of batteries date back to the 1970s, their production has rapidly ramped up over the past decade, thanks in no small part to the accelerated adoption of electric vehicles around the world. Nowhere in the US are EVs more plentiful than in the greater Los Angeles area. The California Energy Commission notes residents in LA Country have reportedly registered at least 581,00- plug-in hybrids and EVs over the past 15 years. Nearly 1 in 5 of those vehicles were sold just last year. Even without fire retardant coatings, damaged EV batteries can release several toxic gases including phosphoryl fluoride, hydrogen cyanide, and hydrogen chloride. Local officials say the batteries in those vehicles are already posing challenges to firefighters and clean-up crews sifting through the wreckage. The Californian Office of Emergency Services has reportedly already sent hazmat teams to homes to look for note signs of damaged batteries. These removal teams need to wear fire-resistant clothing and disposable suits as well as special face masks that filter out possible chemicals leaking from the batteries. Extra water is brought onsite to quickly put out new flames that might spark. They have their work cut out for them. The Environmental Protection Agency says it removed over 30 tons of lithium-ion batteries from 94 electric and hybrid vehicles during its clean-up of the Maui fires back in 2023. Battery cleanup for the LA fires will likely make those numbers look small by comparison. 'This will be … from our estimation, probably the largest lithium-ion battery pickup, cleanup, that's ever happened in the history of the world,' Environmental Protection Agency incident commander for the Palisades and Eaton fire cleanups Steve Calanog told NBC News earlier this week. Researchers say the best solution to this growing problem might be to focus on making efforts to prevent batteries from combusting in the first place. Jahl and her colleagues at the Green Science Policy Institute say companies and local regulators could enact stricter quality assurances and quality controls to prevent manufacturing defects that might short-circuit and lead to fires. Several US lawmakers have previously called out cheaply made and less regulated Chinese E-bike batteries as being particularly prone to dangerous malfunctions. Jahl says consumer electronic manufacturers can also explore putting in place battery management systems that can continuously monitor the battery's health and temporarily shut the system down if detect the conditions for thermal runaway may be brewing. In some cases, products that have plastic enclosures coated with flame retardants may be able to achieve similar fire ratings by replacing the plastic with less flammable metal. 'Ultimately, if we can prevent the fires from starting in the first place we don't have to try to solve the problem backward by adding flame retardant,' Jahl said. Still, even those efforts may only go so far. In extreme situations like the recent LA wildfires, there's not much that can stop batteries from burning along with everything else in the fire's paths. Removing excess fire retardants won't stop that, the researchers say, but at least they won't make an already dangerous situation worse. 'This doesn't mean we should stop using batteries,' Jahl added. 'In many cases, they directly replace a gasoline engine or huge tanks of natural gas that people use for their homes. They're definitely a good thing that is helping us transition to clean energy. We just want to be careful not to add more harmful chemicals than are necessary.'
