Nursery
Cribs and BassinetsWhat You Need To KnowWith so many things to think about in terms of safety in the nursery, do you really need to second guess furniture? In a word, yes. Here’s what to look for to keep your baby safe in the crib too.
What To Avoid
Formaldehyde:Engineered wood (like composite board or particle board) contains formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is known to cause cancer including leukemia and cancers of the nose, throat, and sinuses. Choosing low or no VOC products can help reduce exposure in your home. Some air filters may also help reduce exposure, and improving air flow and ventilation in general can result in meaningful indoor air improvements.
VOCs:Paints, stains, or veneers often contain Volatile organic compounds (vocs) that can release in the air and be inhaled. Volatile organic compounds (vocs) include hundreds of chemicals. These may impact reproductive and immune systems, and the brain, as well as trigger possible skin irritation, nausea, and headaches. Some VOCs are associated with an increased risk of cancer.
Safer Choices
DIY:If buying a new crib isn’t in your budget, see if you can borrow a solid wood crib from someone in your community.
Off gasIf you buy a new regular crib, wait for the product to off-gas until you do not smell any chemical odors before you bring it into your home. You can also have a water-based finish like AFM Safecoat applied to keep fumes from releasing into the air.
Solid wood:Solid wood because it doesn’t contain formaldehyde, glues, and other fillers.
Sustainably-harvested wood:Sustainably-harvested wood because it means that the forests are cared for, rather than clear cut.
Low or no-VOCs:Paints and stains with low- or no-VOCs.
Find Safer Products
Websites and Apps:
Clearya
Clearya is a free browser extension and app that notifies you when there are unsafe ingredients in your makeup, personal care, baby care, cleaning and other products, and helps you find safe products.
Clearya is a free browser extension and app that notifies you when there are unsafe ingredients in your makeup, personal care, baby care, cleaning and other products, and helps you find safe products.
Campaign for Safe Cosmetics - Nontoxic Black Beauty Project
They offer a list and database of non-toxic beauty products made and sold by Black-owned companies that are committed to toxic-free beauty and personal care products.
They offer a list and database of non-toxic beauty products made and sold by Black-owned companies that are committed to toxic-free beauty and personal care products.
Detox Me
This app allows you to scan barcodes on products to find relevant tips. They also offer a buying guide to decode product labels and find non-toxic alternatives.
This app allows you to scan barcodes on products to find relevant tips. They also offer a buying guide to decode product labels and find non-toxic alternatives.
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG has a "Skin Deep" database that rates personal care and beauty products based on their safety and toxicity levels. EWG also offers a Healthy Living app that allows you to scan barcodes and find safer products.
EWG has a "Skin Deep" database that rates personal care and beauty products based on their safety and toxicity levels. EWG also offers a Healthy Living app that allows you to scan barcodes and find safer products.
Think Dirty
This app and website allow you to scan or search for personal care products to see their ingredient safety ratings.
This app and website allow you to scan or search for personal care products to see their ingredient safety ratings.