Serving Size: 4.92 MB Servings Per Container: 1 In Your Body On Your Body For Your Home For Your Family Seeking Medical Treatment How to Detoxify Your Body Guide to Symptoms A Healthy House Values, Vision & Mission Background & History Staff & Advisors News & Upcoming Events Join Our Mailing List Contact Us Recommended Resources Index of Terms Works Cited This product contains 100% natural ingredients. Back to Index of Terms The product Flame Retardants is in the following categories: Clothing Flame Retardants CHEMICALS CONTAINED: The Flammable Fabrics Act (passed in 1953, but amended since then) sets the standards for the allowed flammability of general apparel, carpets and rugs, mattresses and mattress pads, and children’s sleepwear. While the standards for general apparel are fairly weak, the standards for children’s sleepwear is much more strict. Every individual garment design must be tested and pass strict performance standards. Therefore it is much more likely that you will find a chemical-based flame retardant in children’s clothing and sleepwear than in adults’ garments. Most children’s sleepwear is now made from polyester, which is a flame resistant material. Although, the method that it resists flames is not all that pleasant and can still cause severe burns. The most common flame retardants are PBDEs. HEALTH CONCERNS: PBDEs may have toxic effects—including reproductive, endocrine-disrupting, neurological, and thyroid-disrupting. Specifically, PBDEs are a class of chemicals that are similar to PCBs in terms of their toxicity. PCBs are not broken down easily and they accumulate in fat cells where they can remain indefinitely. They have been found to mimic estrogen and interfere with thyroid function. Fetuses exposed to PCBs can develop into children with delayed or reduced psychomotor development, and deficits in physical growth, memory, and attention. TIPS & ALTERNATIVES: You may want to weigh the risks of your garments and your children’s garments catching on fire with the risks associated with flame retardant chemicals. If you choose to avoid flame retardants, you can purchase garments and sleepwear made from more natural fabrics. Organic cotton is a good option. Back to Index of Terms