Toxins in Children's Clothing

It seems like everywhere you look these days there is news that something else is toxic! Recently, Greenpeace came out with a report of toxic chemicals found in children's clothing. Greenpeace Taiwan tested 27 brands of children's clothing ranging from Dior to Disney to Hermes and Versace. They found 16 brands contained at least one toxic chemical. The toxic chemicals discovered were phthalates, nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPE), antimony and perfluorinated compounds (PFCs).

Photo of a Burberry shirt taken from: Daily Mail UK & Greenpeace.

 What's is the danger in these chemicals?

• Phthalates are known endocrine disruptors. Phthalates are linked to birth defects, infertility, breast cancer, liver cancer, obesity, and diabetes.
• NPE are endocrine disrupting chemicals.
• Antimony is a carcinogen and is toxic to the skin, liver, heart and lungs. It can be found in polyester textiles. 
• PFCs are endocrine disruptors, are thought to raise the risk for cancer, and are believed to be linked to the following: thyroid disruption, infertility, developmental delays, liver dysfunction, immunotoxicity, preeclampsia and risk of high cholesterol. PFCs can be found in stain-resistant and water-repellant clothing.

These chemicals can also be found in adult clothing. However, since the release of this report, 19 of the 27 brands and one of the fashion suppliers have promised to try to clean up their act and remove the toxic chemicals from their products.

Sources:
Greenpeace
Taipei Times