6 Hidden Sources of Toxins in Your Nursery
Have you ever seen the movie Monsters, Inc.? The monsters stealthily move out of closets, sneaking around children’s beds, and jumping out to scare them. Then, the monsters disappear as parents come running in, assuring their children the monsters were never really there…
While it’s true that monsters don’t live in our closets (I’ve designed enough to know!), that threatening, unseen presence is similar to the toxic chemicals hidden in your child’s nursery. Hiding in our everyday products, these toxins can pose a threat to our health, especially babies and children. However, researching safe products, reading labels, and understanding ingredients is a full-time job that you probably don’t have time for, so let’s cut to the chase.
“How do I find safer products?”
You’ve come to the right place. I’ve done a lot of research for my own family and my clients and am happy to share what I’ve learned with you. In hopes of helping families reduce toxins in their homes to create a safer, healthier, less toxic indoor living environment — while keeping beautiful design a priority, of course! Here are the 6 places toxins are most likely to be hiding in your child’s nursery, along with safer alternatives for each…
What are the most common toxins found in a home?
Before we jump into where to find and eliminate toxins, here is a list of common toxins found in a home:
Phthalates: An endocrine disrupting group of chemicals used to make plastics more durable - often called plasticizers. Think plastic toys, teethers, pacifiers, bath toys, body/skincare.
Bisphenol (BPA, BPS): Used to make hard plastic and synthetic fibers. Think baby bottles and plastic toys.
Flame Retardants: Various chemicals applied to materials to prevent burning or slow the spread of fire. Can be found in anything that contains urethane foam - cushions, furniture, toys, nursing pillows, car seats.
Parabens: A class of chemicals most commonly used as preservatives. Can be found in body/skincare products.
Synthetic Fragrance: “The word “fragrance” covers dozens and sometime hundreds of chemicals on product labels.” Many chemicals in synthetic fragrance are petroleum based which can be harmful to your health. “Children are exposed to fragrance chemicals primarily through the inhalation of VOCs that evaporate from the scented product into the air or direct skin contact.” (source: children’s environmental health network)
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): A group of chemicals that can vaporize into the air. VOCs are invisible gases, they are everywhere and impossible to avoid. Some are known to be more toxic and harmful to our health. Sources of VOCs = paint, furniture finish stains, new cabinetry, carpet, cleansers and disinfectants, dry-cleaned clothes, fragranced baby products.
Polyurethane (PU): Is a plastic material that can be formed for use in several applications. Can be found in furniture cushions, mattresses, furniture made with composite wood panels, adhesives or coatings.
Polyvinyl Chloride - PVC: A high strength thermoplastic material that contains dangerous chemical additives. Can be found in foam play mats, inflatable toys, flexible plastic toys (rubber duckies, dolls, infant bath books), bibs.
Perflourinated Chemicals - PFC’s, PFAS forever chemicals that build up in our bodies and environment: A group of synthetic chemicals that are used in products as water-repellants, oil/stain resisting, non-stick coatings. Can be found in fabrics (clothing, drapery, bedding), carpet/area rugs.
You can read more about these in my free download, Download my Guide to a Healthy Nursery!
Organic breathable mattress from Naturepedic
1. MattressES & Bedding
Conventional mattresses are made with synthetic, petroleum-based polyurethane foam, treated with chemical flame retardants, assembled using formaldehyde producing adhesives, and covered in polyester or PVC vinyl. Yuck! These toxic chemicals will off-gass harmful VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds). They can build up in your body and have been linked to minor symptoms such as headaches and dizziness, allergic skin reactions, eye, nose and throat discomfort. Long-term exposure to high VOC levels include more serious symptoms such as cognitive delays, endocrine disruption, damage to the central nervous system and reproductive harm. And some VOC’s are known carcinogens such as formaldehyde.
While you (or your babe) are sleeping directly on these materials, you may be breathing in chemicals or directly contacting the materials through your skin. That’s why it’s so important to create a healthy and toxin-free nursery for you and your family.
What to Avoid: Petroleum-based foam, synthetic latex, flame retardants, perflourinated chemicals (PFC’s) and vinyl (PVC).
Safer Alternative: Choose a certified organic mattress that uses natural, non-toxic alternatives. Free of flame-retardants, formaldehyde, and other chemicals to ensure your baby — and the rest of your family — are sleeping healthy and free from off-gassed toxins.
My favorite brand that uses natural and organic certified materials is Naturepedic. For bedding and sleepwear, I look for certifications like GOTS or Oeko-Tex. My go-to for bedding is Coyuchi and I love L’oved Baby for sleepwear.
(P.S. You can also check out non-toxic bedding and why it’s important!)
2. Performance TEXTILES
What are performance textiles? They are any fabric, carpet or article of clothing that is stain-resistant, water-resistant or wrinkle-free. Although performance textiles sound great in theory (who doesn’t want stain-free fabric?), they have chemical coatings called polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS for short, which give the material its easy-care qualities. Performance textiles can be found in carpet, area rugs, crib sheets, draperies, nursing chairs, and any other treated upholstery.
Unfortunately, these coatings are full of highly toxic fluorinated chemicals that are not good for your health or the environment. PFAS chemicals have been linked to neurotoxicity, cancer, thyroid disease, immune system suppression, birth defects and developmental delays. PFAS are a family of over 5,000 manmade chemicals known as “forever chemicals” because they don’t naturally break down in the environment and are very persistent in the human body. As a mom of messy littles, you might be eager for performance fabrics that are durable, so you’ll have to weigh the risks and benefits for your own family.
What to avoid:
When looking for upholstered items, stay away from synthetic fibers, which are more likely to be chemically treated.
Make sure the fabrics are free of chemical flame retardants, Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs), and Formaldehyde-free.
If it is stain or water resistant, it most likely contains PFAS.
Safer Alternative:
As mentioned in 5 Brands that are Leading the Way in Non-Toxic Home Decor, looking for GOTS or Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification in fabrics or in finished upholstery pieces is the safest stamp of approval you can get. These certifications will ensure that the materials in your product have the lowest toxins.
Choose 100% wool or a wool blend fabric if it’s an option - even better if it has one of the certifications mentioned above! Natural wool is a highly stain-resistant material that's fairly easy to clean because it contains lanolin, a natural oil that repels liquids.
Vacuuming your chemical-free upholstery regularly is a great step in keeping it clean and looking its best as dirt breaks down fiber causing damage. This can significantly extend the life of your upholstery. If you need to spot treat an area, opt for a natural cleaning solution and for a deeper clean, you can search for a professional green cleaning service in your area.
3. Composite Wood Furniture & Plastic
Furniture made of composite materials, plywood, or MDF has the highest risk of formaldehyde exposure and likelihood of emitting other VOCs into your indoor air. These materials are a mixture of wood fiber, plastic, and a urea-formaldehyde binding agent.
Formaldehyde is a toxic chemical widely used in building materials (and preserving the animals found in biology classrooms…), as well as a variety of household products, like glues and adhesives or preservatives in paints and stains.
Chronic exposure to elevated levels of indoor toxins, especially in children, can be related to an increased risk of developing allergic sensitivities, respiratory illnesses such as asthma, and skin irritations. “Plastic toys, bottles, and furnishings are also full of toxic chemicals. When a baby sucks or chews on an object that contains plasticizers (like a teether, squeeze toy, or bath book), or a young child handles it and then sucks his fingers, the chemicals can end up in the child's body. Because babies suck on and put things in their mouth routinely, they're especially vulnerable to ingesting phthalates.” - (Gretchen Lee)
Safer Alternative: The safest option when sourcing furnishings, such as a crib, dresser, nightstand, bookcase, or even toys would be to stay away from composite, synthetic and plastic materials. Find a product made of solid wood, unfinished, or finished with an all-natural paint or stain. There are also certifications such as Greenguard Gold that are a better alternative to non-certified products. Check out these brands for safer furnishings and bedding.
4. Carpet and Area Rugs
When you’re out shopping for new floor coverings, the first thing on your mind isn’t “how toxic is this?” Shopping for anything in your home should be a happy experience. However, most conventionally made carpets and area rugs are produced with questionable material like toxins, fungicides, pesticides and are not environmentally friendly. A total downer, right?
Your floor coverings carry one of the highest toxic burdens in a space. Knowing what your rug is made of and how it is made is an essential detail to pay special attention to. After all, your little one is likely to be lying and crawling directly on your floor.
It is important to understand that while you are searching for a product that is safer for your health, you should also consider a product that adheres to maintaining environmental quality and safer working conditions for the skilled artisans as well. By using healthy, sustainable products that are naturally based, the planet is replenished at the end of a product's lifecycle.
So, what do you look for when shopping for non-toxic carpet and area rugs?
What to avoid: Synthetic materials like polypropylene and nylon - these materials are created through chemical processes and may have been treated with fungicides, pesticides and flame retardants. Synthetic dyes. Synthetic rubber backing which may contain phthalates. Rugs that have any harmful finish treatments such as flame retardants, stain-resistancy or water-resistancy.
Safer Alternative: Look for a rug with organic certifications. Made of carefully sourced natural materials that have not been chemically treated. Look for natural dyes, and one that does not have a glued backing. A certification by Global Organic Textiles (GOTS) is the very best. And read all of the products reviews! This is where you will find helpful information from people that have experience with a particular product - Does it have a chemical smell? The answer to your question will be in the reviews!
A great option I love for kids spaces are washable rugs by Lorena Canals. Yes, machine washable! Made of natural cotton and non-toxic dyes, these washable rugs will add the perfect finish to your space. They are fluffy, safe and practical, and being lightweight, they are easy to move around. Earth Weave is another great brand focused on health and committed to crafting 100% natural fiber carpets and area rugs. And Organic Weave, one of my favorites and the option that I personally have in my own home - they are handmade, certified by GOTS and have a beautiful color palette of all natural dyes. In addition, every Organic Weave rug is certified free of illegal child labour by the internationally recognized organization, GoodWeave.
5. Paint
That “new paint” smell might make you feel like your home is fresh and new, but that scent carries some not-so-good chemicals that can cause short- and long-term health effects, such as headaches, respiratory tract irritation, and can be carcinogenic. (Awful I know, but awareness is the first step.)
The good news is that there are many brands out there today making safe, non-toxic paint. Thank goodness!
Alternative: Non-toxic and zero-VOC paints are typically more expensive than conventional paints. But who would argue health over small cost savings? Two brands that I often use for my clients are AFM Safecoat, purchased at The Green Design Center and ECOS Paints.
Both brands are transparent about what they put in their non-toxic, water-based products. They both have missions to create the safest, highest quality, non-toxic paints out there for your healthy home. I’m onboard! If you are looking at other brands, look for natural paint with no VOCs or a VOC content less than 5 grams per liter.
6. Air Fresheners
The quickest and best way to mask unpleasant diaper odors in your nursery is to grab the nearest can of air freshener, right? While the scents produced from air fresheners, candles and perfumes really do smell nice, they are a source of increased indoor air pollution. When an aerosol can is sprayed it releases chemicals and harmful VOCs such as benzene, xylene and formaldehyde - which is a known carcinogen, into the air you’re breathing. Air pollution is coming not only from the aerosols itself but also from the chemicals used to create the scent. Not only are aerosols harmful to our health they are also causing a negative impact on the environment. So much so, that the EPA strongly suggests avoiding the use of aerosol sprays whenever possible.
While candles may seem like a harmless option, most candles today are made of paraffin wax and when burned, paraffin creates highly toxic carcinogenic pollutants. Of course the degree to which this affects the body depends on your level of exposure but I don’t think any candle scent is worth the risk, so eliminating them altogether seems like a good solution to me.
In general, “fragrance” is a dangerous word found on your product labels. There are no regulations around what the term “fragrance” includes. Fragrances made from chemicals are classified as allergens, hormone disruptors, asthma triggers, neurotoxins & carcinogens. The truth is: fragrances used to create these alluring scents and perfumes are highly toxic.
Alternatives:
Open your windows a few times a day to allow the outdoor air to ventilate the space naturally.
Try an essential oil diffuser (to be cautious, do not use them around a baby younger than 6 months). Be sure to only use pure essential oils. And keep the diffusing time to a minimum while ventilating your home.
Candles made of 100% beeswax are a safer option. They do not create any harmful byproducts when burned.
Last, but very important, I always recommend adding an air purifier. Air purifiers not only pull out any odors but also work to trap any VOCs lingering in the air. Sticking with these tips will keep your room smelling fresh and lower the toxins.
Looking for safer cleaning products? I love and use Branch Basics.
Feeling overwhelmed? Start here...
Start by changing out a few items at a time. I always start with the crib and mattress because this is where your baby will spend so many hours a day. You can also learn all the certification details at the end of this post… you know, if you have some spare time while baby is sleeping.
If this process still seems overwhelming and you need some help, let’s chat! And while you wait, download my top 6 must-haves for a healthy nursery!
- Stephanie
Sources: (1) https://www.babycenter.com/health/safety-and-childproofing/phthalates-what-you-need-to-know_3647067