What began as a NewsMom editorial, expanded into a six month KPIX-CBS investigation exposing alleged false advertising, apparent legal loopholes and outdated federal regulations that systematically expose millions of children to concerning car seat chemicals.First, we established … [Read more...]
Part 4: Feds Blamed for Exposing Kids to Car Seat Chemicals • CBS San Francisco
Excerpt CBSSF.com:A KPIX investigation reveals that the 44-year-old federal flammability standard, which manufacturers say ostensibly requires chemical flame retardants in car seats, has never even been tested in car seats, and regulators admit there is no data to indicate the … [Read more...]
Adventures in Baby Travel: Useful Products for Jet-Setting Families
For those who procreate and yet still insist on feeding their wanderlust, many baby travel products promise to make adventure a breeze. Below is a rundown of a few I've found helpful in our travels around Asia. For another perspective, also see NewsMom Julie Watts' 10 Must-Haves … [Read more...]
EDITORIAL: Tackling Toxics | Science Magazine
Interested in the history (and future) of flame retardants in consumer products? This editorial from scientist Arlene Blum provides a brief summary. Source: Tackling toxics | Science Blum’s research was the catalyst for getting the first form of Tris banned from kids' pajamas in … [Read more...]
UPDATE: Keep Car Seats in the Middle, A Fatal Seat Flaw Exposed
Did you know your front driver and passenger seats can severely injure your child? Here's the latest in another excellent report from CBS News Transportation Correspondent Kris Van Cleave on the fight to get regulators to do something about it. Read More From CBS News: "No … [Read more...]
Untested Baby Products | FOX23
This story was sent to us by a mom who tragically lost her baby due to "positional asphyxiation" after a childcare provider left him to sleep unbuckled in a car seat. She asked us to share this with NewsMom readers. Sleep-related deaths are the most common cause of death for … [Read more...]
Car Seat Chemicals: Resources for Parents
A car seat is the only consumer product required by law in all 50 states, but critics say many of those seats are unnecessarily exposing kids to potentially dangerous chemicals.Parents don’t currently have the option to buy a car seat without chemical flame retardants, even though … [Read more...]
How I Found “Cancer-Causing” Flame Retardants In My Child… And In Her ‘Green’ Car Seat
I'm not a particularly green mom. Though, as a consumer reporter I've covered enough studies over the years to know I should try to reduce my child's exposure to concerning chemicals (especially those "known to cause cancer"). It certainly never occurred to me that there might be a … [Read more...]
Part 3: Reporter’s Shocking Discovery – Daughter & Car Seat Positive for “Cancer-Causing” Flame Retardant • CBS San Francisco
Excerpt CBSSF.com:The day after we received my daughter’s bio-monitoring results, we received the results from the foam sewn into in her car seat’s head rest and “Orbit Green Certified Fabric.” Ultimately three independent labs confirmed the car seat’s foam tested positive for … [Read more...]
Part 2: Car Seats With Violations, Consumers In The Dark • CBS San Francisco
Excerpt CBSSF.com: Companies are required to provide clear and reasonable warning before knowingly exposing anyone to a listed chemical known to cause cancer or reproductive harm. TDCPP is one of those cancer-causing chemicals, and we’ve discovered that Orbit Baby was twice served … [Read more...]