As a parent, your number one concern is keeping your children safe. It is challenging enough to protect your children from everyday hazards you can see and hear, but what about unseen dangers that could be present without you knowing?
Flame retardants are used in numerous household items. Couches, mattresses, and kids’ pajamas all potentially contain flame retardant chemicals. Flame retardant chemicals are used to prevent and delay the spread of fire so that an escape can be made. Unfortunately, the chemicals that are supposed to help protect you are actually causing harm.
A recently published study by scientists at Duke University showed that levels of flame retardant, cancer-causing chemicals are increasing in adults and children in the U.S. Children are particularly at risk because they breathe in more of the chemicals released via dust and other small particles from furniture or other sources in relation to their body weight, versus adults.
In the United States, there had been laws in place since 1953 stating that kids’ pajamas must be made of flame resistant materials. Flame retardants were added using chemicals like PBDE, which has since been banned due to its cancer causing properties. In 1977, another chemical known as Tris was banned from being used in kids’ pajamas due to studies showing it can cause mutations in DNA. Finally, in 1996, the Consumer Product Safety Commission allowed kids pajamas without flame retardant chemicals as long as they were tight-fitting. But how can you know for sure if your child’s pajamas are doused in chemicals?
The key is to look for snug fitting kids pajamas without flame retardant. “Snug fitting” pajamas reduce the risk of burns because there is less space between the clothing and the skin and less oxygen to feed a fire once it starts.
Another thing parents can do is look for pajamas made from organic cotton. The Global Organic Textile Standard, or GOTS, is a label that manufacturers can only use if their textiles meet stringent organic standards. Their product must contain a minimum of 70% organic materials.
What are some brands of flameretardant-free pajamas to look for?
Burt’s Bees uses 100% organic cotton and their pajamas are tight fitting.
New Jammies uses 100% flame retardant-free organic cotton.
L’BkIds uses 100% cotton that is minimally processed, safety tested, and naturally flame retardant.
Silkberry
Bamboo
Carter’s
Lazy One
Bindun
Simply Merino
City Threads
Organic Home
Babiesnature
Chemicals are unfortunately unavoidable in our modern life, but your children’s pajamas should not be something that you need to worry about. Now that you know what to look for, you can make informed, safe choices for your kids’ sleepwear.
