What You Need To Know

Those adorable, colorful baby clothes you’re given or buy can in fact be wolves in sheep’s clothing–meaning they may look great but contain harmful chemicals that don’t belong on your baby. Here are some tips:

AVOID 

• Conventionally-produced cotton, hemp, linen and wool -- particularly cotton -- are sprayed heavily with organophosphate pesticides. These pesticides are intended to kill pests that might damage the crops or harm the sheep’s wool, but they can be poisonous to other insects, birds and mammals too – including humans! Often pesticide residues stay in cloth fibers and then are released when the fibers degrade. Exposure to pesticides can impact neurodevelopment and some are associated with lower IQs, birth defects and developmental delays.
• Flame retardants, particularly polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). The science now shows that these are not only toxic to humans but they aren’t even useful in deterring flames. Exposure to PBDEs in utero and during early childhood has been linked to poorer attention, lower fine motor skills and lower IQs as well as a reproductive birth defect in boys, hypospadias.
• Polyester, which is made of multiple synthetic chemicals that are petroleum-based, can lead to skin problems, such as rashes, itching and dermatitis, irritate the respiratory system and contribute to certain cancers.
• Perfluorochemicals (PFCs) which are added to fabric for durability, stain resistance and wrinkle resistance. These chemicals can be inhaled when released into the air or leach into sensitive skin. Exposure to PFCs may impact neurodevelopment, reproductive health and the immune system.
• Fomaldehyde, which is used to prevent shrinkage, can increase the risk of certain cancers as well as asthma.
• Antimicrobial and antibacterial agents that are used in fabrics include a range of synthetic chemicals which destroy or reduce the growth of microbes and bacteria. Plus, others have been shown to increase the risk of cancer, reproductive and neurological impairments, as well as contribute to allergies, asthma and eczema. The overuse of antimicrobial and antibacterial chemicals is also spawning new “superbugs” that don’t respond to antibiotics when we really need them.
• Synthetic dyes used to color baby clothes, such as benzidine-based dyes, have toxic properties as well. Exposures to these chemicals can increase risk for cancer and skin irritations.

BETTER CHOICES

• Gently used baby clothes. Some chemical finishes can decrease after multiple washings. Plus you’re recycling and reusing materials, which is far better for the environment and saves you money.
• Organic or untreated cotton, hemp, linen or wool. These will be the least toxic because very few harmful chemicals are applied in the growing or manufacturing process (look for the Global Organic Textile Standard or GOTS label).
• Clothing with “natural dyes,” meaning dyes derived from organic plant sources without the use of synthetic chemicals.