Anonymous wrote:Also most strollers are treated like Peg Perego. Bob is not but they are expensive. ALL infant carriers are treated but some are better than others. You can follow that research on my blog as my baby #2 is on the way and I am on the hunt for the safest one
And the treatments do NOT wash out FYI
You can buy used furniture, just make sure it is real wood and not particle board or MDF. We bought Million Dollar Baby as it was cheap and real pine. THe drawers were MDF on the bottom so we sealed them with Shellac
Lot's of companies like Fisher Price will give you incorrect info when asked. They are required by california law to meet certain standards. (Tech 117) so large companies comply with all of their products since they are not going to make different products for CA. If it has Polyurethane then you can be rest assured it is COATED in flame retardant regardless of what the company says. I have learned in my business if you contact these companies 10 times you will get 10 different answers depending on how you ask the question

Anonymous wrote:Also get a good vaccum cleaner with a HEPA filter and vacuum often as these chemicals accumulate in dust. And dust often. OPen you windows when you can...hope this helps! I am on the hunt for a glider that isn't toxic and will let you know what I find!

I know some people say don't worry about it but I think if you are able to reduce the toxic load on your children good for you! It can be more time consuming but with some sleuthing on the internet you can find some good deals and protect your baby without spending a fortune (EXCEPT FOR THE CRIB MATTRESS! THIS IS A MUST) do not be fooled by Sealy "organic" it is coated in Boric acid and covered in vinyl

Anonymous wrote:OP, I don't see how you are so worried about flame retardants but find nothing wrong with using a used car seat.

Anonymous wrote:

I think you should honestly considering seeking help from a trained professional and I'm not trying to be snarky. If you want to rip out your carpeting you are going down a slippery sloap.

Our parents put us in unsafe cribs, substandard car seats in cars without airbags or anti-lock breaks, painted the house with leaded paint, let us roam the outdoors without sunscreen and through time we've learned that cerain things should not be used. However, making yourself a homebody because you are paranoid about leaving the house is not healthy for you or your family. Your child will never experience camping, a hotel room, friends homes or even school. There is plenty to worry yourself about but you have to make sure you're not going overboard. Please consider talking to someone who can help manage this with you.

I don't think I need to seek help. I'm just passionate about the environment, and I'm seriously thinking to switch my carrier in that direction. You say that our parent lived with lead, asbestos, and many other things. I know that. I also know that besides fire retardants we are surrounded by many many other toxins that price we pay for modern conveniences. I know that my kids probably will not suffer any immediate health issues. However, if you would even made a little research on fire retardants or any other toxins for that matter, you would learn that they have cumulative effect. So, if our parents may have gotten away with just a light increase in cancer rates, there is no guarantee that our generation or generations to come will get off the hook quite that easily. We have to realize that if we keep on polluting our bodies and environment, one day it will build up to the point where our livers or medicine will not be able to keep. It is already known that due to poor environment there is an increase in cancer rates, as well as those of some other diseases. I'm not paranoid, I just made it to be my choice of living. I think we can have modern conveniences, but with a bit of lesser price for the environment and our bodies. And I believe, that first step I can do is to become a conscious consumer, and let manufacturers know that consumers are not as dumb as they tend to think.

And finally, I'm not making myself a homebody, since if you would bother to learn more about environmental issues, you would know that pollution inside of our homes are much higher than the one outside. I actually try to spend more time outdoors.

Honestly, since I'm passionate about environmental issues, it was sad for me to see your comments about my letter. I love this planet a lot, and I hope we will be able to preserve it. Most likely we'll learn to make right choices, but I wish we would be faster in realizing so. You have to realize that just 100 or 200 years ago, we were did not have all these industries and chemicals, or cars for that matter. It means that only within one century we managed to create so many environmental problems that scientists are trying to get masses to realize. Imagine us going on with the same pace another century or two. Do you really think the environment as we know it now will survive?

don't worry, that person who said you need help is odd. Environmental issues and chemicals in children's toys and clothes is a real issue we all need to address. I am glad to see that there are intelligent people on this board who are aware of this issue and concerned about it.