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It's rough out there for a parent: It seems like everyone and everything is out to kill your baby, or at least turn your precious bundle of joy into the drooling, monosyllabic Fratelli brother from The Goonies.
A new report from Environment California won't do much to allay these suspicions. The environmental advocacy organization recently tested 21 baby-nursery products from big-name stores such as Babies "R" Us, Target, and Wal-Mart, only to discover that a good half-dozen of them emitted enough toxic formaldehyde, a major contributor of indoor air pollution, to trigger allergy and asthma attacks in children.
Here are some of the report's findings:
1. Of the products tested, the Child Craft Oak Crib emitted the highest levels of formaldehyde. The crib includes a drawer made with composite wood, which is often manufactured using formaldehyde-based glue.
2. Other products with high formaldehyde emissions included the Bridget 4-in-1 Crib by Delta, the Kayla II Changing Table by Storkcraft, the Berkley Changing Table by Jardine Enterprises, the Country Style Changing Table by South Shore Furniture, and the Rochester Cognac Crib by Storkcraft.
3. The remaining 15 products tested, including the Olympia Single Crib by Jardine Enterprises; several wastebaskets, lamps, and shelves made with composite wood; and several window valances and wall hangings, emitted relatively low levels of formaldehyde.
Studies have shown that chronic exposure to formaldehyde at levels greater than 16 parts per billion (ppb) in indoor air is linked with an increased likelihood of respiratory problems (such as coughing), as well as an increased risk of diagnosed asthma. Startlingly, a new single-family home furnished with a Child Craft Oak Crib and a Storkcraft Kalya II Changing Table--and no other furniture--would have result in indoor formaldehyde emissions of around 30ppb on average throughout the entire house, or as high as 52ppb in a unit in a new apartment building. ::Environment California
Learn more about choosing safer baby furniture
Choosing a Safe Crib--And Using It Safely
Green Your Nursery: Choose Eco-Friendly Furnishing (Part 1)
Green Your Nursery: Choose Eco-Friendly Furnishing (Part 2)
Green Your Nursery: Don't Let the PBDEs Bite
How to Green Your Baby
Difficulty level: Moderate
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