Children's Products Contain Harmful Chemicals Associated with Cancer, Hormone Disruption

Be more careful while shopping for your little one. According to a new report compiled by the Washington Toxics Coalition and Safer States, most popular companies manufacturing children's products use harmful chemicals that can cause cancer, hormone disruption and reproductive problems.

The report, submitted to the Washington State Department of Ecology, recently revealed that over 5,000 children's products like toys, car seats, baby products, footwear and clothing contain toxic chemicals harmful to the health of a child. Many major children's product makers including Walmart, Gap, Hallmark, Gymboree and H&M have admitted to using about 41 toxic chemicals in their products for children.

Some of the products listed in the report include Hallmark's party hats (containing arsenic linked to cancer), Walmart dolls (containing controversial chemical Bisphenol- A causing reproductive problems), Graco car seats (containing toxic flame retardant TBBPA) and Claire's cosmetics (containing chemical formaldehyde linked to cancer). Mercury, cadmium, cobalt, antimony and molybdenum were some of the toxic metals being used by the companies. Apart from that, solvents such as ethylene glycol, methyl ethyl ketone, and a silicone fluid, octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane also found a place in the list provided by the companies.

Concerned with the findings, the researchers urge parents to take extra precaution while choosing products for their little ones.

"The data shows store shelves remain full of toxic chemicals that we know are a concern for children's health," Erika Schreder, science director for the Washington Toxics Coalition, said in a news release. "These reports are critical for understanding the presence of toxic chemicals in our homes and the marketplace."

The authorities also urged companies to help create a fully toxic-free environment in the future to protect the young generation.

"Too many products contain chemicals that do not belong in items we give our kids. To truly protect children, manufacturers need to identify safer ways to make their products and stop using harmful chemicals," Schreder added.

The procedure of compiling a list of toxic chemicals used in children's products has been prevalent in Washington state since 2008, when the Washington State's Children's Safe Products Act was passed. The bill enforces companies to reveal the toxic chemicals used in their children's products. It covers 66 chemicals of high concern.

Early in 2012, a similar concern arose after officials from the Center for Health, Environment & Justice (CHEJ) detected toxic chemicals phthalates or plasticizers in children's vinyl back-to-school supplies. It included popular children's products such as Disney, Spiderman and Dora-branded school bags, as well as vinyl lunchboxes, backpacks, 3-ring binders, raincoats and rainboots.