Toxics in Baby's Bed: 65 Organizations Launch "Getting Ready for Baby" Campaign

LAS VEGAS, Oct. 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Advocates called on Babies "R" Us and buybuy BABY to protect children from toxic chemicals by setting limits on chemicals in the products they sell and by increasing transparency so parents know what's in products before they buy.  The new "Getting Ready for Baby" campaign mirrors calls made to the top 10 general retailers including Walmart and Target, who have recently announced new sustainable materials policies. 

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130124/MM47732LOGO )

As added justification, the coalition released a report entitled Flame Retardants Finally Fade -- Crib Mattress Makers Respond to Chemical Concerns authored by Clean and Healthy New York.  The report found that while many companies are offering safer products, public access to that information is limited, and the two leading retailers do little to share the material content of products with customers.  The report is being released at the annual ABC Kids Expo in Las Vegas, where 14,000 children's product makers, suppliers, and retailers are expected.

"Parents can take heart from an apparently dwindling use of chemical approaches to meeting infant crib mattress flammability standards," said Bobbi Chase Wilding, Deputy Director of Clean and Healthy New York. "But too often, they're in the dark about which products are safer and which contain chemicals or materials they might want to avoid," she added. "It's time for buybuy BABY and Babies"R"Us to use their market clout to protect the health of their young customer base."

Specifically, the report found:

• 18% - or four of the manufacturers surveyed offer mattresses made without either flame retardant chemicals or barriers.
• 91% - or 20 crib mattress makers who responded now use a flame barrier; 13 use wool.
• However, three manufacturers use the heavy metal antimony, and two of these use chlorinated or brominated chemicals.
• Only 13 of the 31 crib makers - 42% - provide details on achieving flammability standards on their website.
• Neither Babies"R"Us nor buybuy BABY provide detailed information about how mattresses meet flammability standards on their customer websites.

The report, letters to retailers, and full release are available at http://www.gettingready4baby.org/.

People concerned about children's health can learn more at http://www.safemarkets.org/ and http://mindthestore.saferchemicals.org/

Contact: Bobbi Chase Wilding (518) 708-3875

SOURCE Clean and Healthy New York, Inc.