Formaldehyde is primarily used in fabrics to prevent wrinkling, prevent staining, stop fabric shrinkage, or prevent mold. Fabrics containing this chemical include draperies, carpets, bedding, and, adult and children’s clothing.
Many countries around the world regulate the uses of formaldehyde in fabrics. Unfortunately, the US has no rules about the use of formaldehyde, although this chemical is known to cause cancer by the World Health Organization and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Babies can breathe in or absorb chemicals through the skin and babies are more vulnerable to toxins because their immune systems are not yet fully developed. Because babies breathe in more air for their size than larger persons, they breathe in more toxins from their environment.
Not only does baby bedding and baby clothing
contain harmful chemicals, but perfumed air fresheners and soaps also contain ingredients that can irritate the skin or cause breathing problems. The more a baby is exposed to various toxins, the more likely the chance of health problems developing.
Washing all clothing, bedding and other articles made of fabric that contains formaldehyde can reduce the emissions rate of the chemical. If you purchase any products that say they are wrinkle resistant or stain resistant, we suggest you wash them several times before using them.
Another way to avoid chemicals, is to be sure you use only Certified Organic products. See our blog: Importance of “Organic” baby products.Smoking one cigarette may not kill you, but the accumulation of the harmful effects of smoking many cigarettes has been proven to be very dangerous to your health. So, perhaps one pretty wrinkle-resistant infant gown may not hurt the infant, but the accumulation of the harmful effects of many items of clothing , bedding and others could, even later in the child’s life, show up as health concerns.