Baby Clothing & Bedding
Potential Harmful Chemicals:
- Benzidine-based “azo dyes”
- Formaldehyde
- Nonlyphenol ethoxylates
- Perfluorochemicals
- Phlalates
- Flame Retardent Chemicals
- Pesticides
Effects on Health and Environment
Benzidine-based “Azo Dyes”
Health
- can release carcinogenic amines (ammonia derivatives)
- recognized as human bladder carcinogens.In particular, o-dianisidine is a classified as potentially cancer causing in humans.
Environment
- Azo dyes are environmental pollutants.
Formaldehyde
Health
- known human carcinogen
- known human immune and respiratory toxicant
- EWG rating 10
Environment
- Suspected to be an environmental toxin
Nonylphenol Ethoxylates
Health
- hormone-disrupting
- suspected reproductive and developmental effects
Environment
- bioaccumulative
- water supply toxicity
- highly toxic to aquatic wildlife
- ends up in water supply when we wash clothing
Perfluorochemicals
Health
- can break down into a toxic blood contaminant blood contaminant called PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) that’s linked with tumor growth and reproductive problems.
Environment
- found in soil, sediments, water or in other places
- PFCs can also travel long distances in air, deposit on soil and leach into groundwater.
- PFCs have been found in the blood of many species of wildlife around the world, including fish, bald eagles and mink.
- PFOS is the PFC that accumulates to levels of concern in fish.
PHLALATES
HEALTH
- suspected carcinogen
- suspected endocrine disruptor
- reproductive toxicity
ENVIRONMENT
- unknown
Flame Retardants
Health
- suspected carcinogen
- in utero and childhood exposure associated with neurodevelopmental delays, including decreased attention, fine motor coordination, and cognition
- reproductive toxicity and infertility
- disrupts thyroid hormones, can lead to hyperthyroidism
Environment
- Environmental contaminant
- Persistant and bioaccumulative
- not biodegradable
Pesticides
Health
- known human carcinogen
- human immune system toxicant and allergen
- sixteen pesticides were detected in the 8 baby foods tested by the FDA
-
- three probable human carcinogens
- five possible human carcinogens
- eight neurotoxins
- five pesticides that disrupt the normal functioning of the hormone system
- five pesticides that are categorized as oral toxicity category one, the most toxic designation.
Environmental
- Environmental toxicity
- Biodiversity toxicity
Solutions
Traditional/Indigenous Alternatives
Animal Hides
- animal hides can be used to create baby moccasins and clothing
- it is a safe organic material that is not harmful for baby or environment
- be sure however to use wild caught and safe tanned leathers. Store bought can often be made with chemical tanners and harvested using factory farmed animals, treated without animal rights laws and most times are not farmed sustainably
- traditionally hide was used from the skin of animals who’s mean would also be eaten
- As Russell Willier describes in “A Cree Healer and His Medicine Bundle” natural tannins are used to take and treat the hide. He writes that “the Woods Cree, like other Natives, steep the inner bark of the diamond willow and use the tannins to cure animal hides.” This is a completely organic way to produce and treat clothing materials.
Woven, Knitted and/or Sewn Materials
- from hemp, cotton etc
Catkin Fluff
- According to the plants used by Russell Willier from the book “A Cree Healer and His Medicine Bundle” the catkin fluff of the diamond willow can be used to line baby cradles and acts as organic bedding.
Other Alternatives
- buy second hand- with every wash the chemicals lessen
- make your own out of old materials
- buy local, organic and handmade if buying new
Store Bought Organic and Fair Trade Brands
look for
- organic cotton or hemp
- fair trade
- gmo free
- sweat shop and child labour free
Examples
a guide to conscious consumption 