I am disgusted.
Absolutely disgusted!
And dismayed.
Disturbed.
Angered.
Today I came across this article.
It told me that despite my best efforts to protect my children from carcinogens, I have failed them.
We eat only organic foods.
I won't let my children within ten feet of a cellphone.
Don't allow wireless internet in my home.
Don't use chemicals on my lawn or in our house.
We play primarily with wood toys PROVEN to be free of lead paint. Any plastic toys are BPA, lead, and phlalate free.
I spent $130 on a bamboo playmat to keep them from breathing in the toxins known to off-gas from the much cheaper (and easier to come by) foam mats.
My kids do not, and WILL NOT, eat anything containing Red Dye #40, Blue #2, Yellow #5.
I am vigilant.
Informed.
So imagine my disgust - my absolute disgust, to read that not one, not two, but THREE products that my children use or used regularly have been found to contain frighteningly high levels of the fire retardent TDCPP - a chemical that was banned in the 1970's from pajamas, because they knew back then that it caused cancer.
A chemical that is also a known hormone disruptor.
Imagine my disgust when I read that the My Brest Friend breastfeeding pillow was coated in it.
A fucking breastfeeding pillow!
Are you kidding me?!
Are there THAT MANY irresponsible and moronic mothers smoking a cigarette WHILE breastfeeding their child that it needs to be sprayed in fire retardent chemicals?
Imagine how I felt to learn that the Arm's Reach mini co-sleeper that my twins spent their first six months of life sleeping at least part of the night in was coated in it.
My Graco Snugride carseats.
I want to scream.
More than that, I want to march into Arm's Reach, Graco, and My Brest Friend, grab their CEO's by the collar and yell "SHAME ON YOU!"
I want to sit them down and force them to hear every horrific detail of what cancer does to a baby. To walk them through every painful moment of Peyton's life. Shove the REALITY of what these chemicals could possibly do in their irresponsible faces.
I am sick to death of carcinogens being taken lightly. Sick to death of hearing, "everything causes cancer."
And what?
That's somehow okay?!
We are supposed to just accept that even though natural alternatives are available, it is somehow acceptable practice to use carcinogens on these products just because "everything causes cancer"?
How dare a company that makes it's bread and butter on infant products, INFANT PRODUCTS! knowingly be exposing these children to these chemicals?
California statutes set the standard for the whole country. They require that products meet certain flammability thresholds, yet irresponsibly do NOTHING when the retardants being used to meet these thresholds are dangerous, and carcinogenic.
I have contacted these companies by twitter.
@cosleep
@mybrestfriend
@gracobaby
I have written to my Senator.
Something needs to change.
We need to stop putting dollar signs before child safety. Period!
I cannot believe what I am reading. Since I don't have little ones I just haven't been aware of things like this. Makes me sick. ((HUGS))
ReplyDeleteI've used all three of those things.... I hear you sister! Completely.
ReplyDeleteOMG. Thank you for this. I lost my twins just weeks before I would have registered, but had every intention of getting an Arm's Reach Co-Sleeper and the Graco carseats for them. My sister-in-law just registered for her first baby. I will be passing the article along to her so she can make necessary adjustments to the list of things she wants.
ReplyDeleteThis truly sickens me. I don't even want to think about what I use or don't use around the kids that could cause cancer :( I am trying to keep them away from anything plastic to do with eating like plastic plates, bowls and cutlery etc, but they still use drinking straws (they are 4 and 6). It is truly scary how many people I know or know of who have/have had cancer. In my family alone, my mother in law survived it, while my mother lost two siblings and my father one to cancer. Good on you for taking action. So sorry that this is happening. xox
ReplyDeleteI also feel badly for the companies that are trying to comply with idiotic laws that put chemicals in breast feeding pillows. It's not exactly fair to them either, since they can't publicize their problem without driving down sales and without publicity these laws won't be changed.
ReplyDeleteGood grief. Thanks Graco. Thanks a friggin bunch. What is WRONG with companies? Where are ethics???????? How can we even contemplate safety when we are so mislead by companies who are supposed to be baby centric?????? Off to write letters....
ReplyDeleteWow, how is that even possible. I hope they get back to you and take this seriously. Thank you for the info, how did you even find that out? I am shocked that so many baby items cannot be trusted. Makes me sick as well.
ReplyDeleteShaking my head...as much as we do to protect our children, you would think these companies would be more active in their protection as well. Shame on them!! Good for you for speaking out!
ReplyDeleteThis is why I only made my son's clothing and what he touched. We co-slept so I didn't have to worry about crib mattresses until he was older. Also, when my doctor said we should quarantine at home for 6 months, he was a preemie, I did just that to avoid the consequences of other people's neglect. Never trust anyone or anything when you can't verify it.
ReplyDeleteWhat?? My Brest Friend? POed too!!! Thanks for the info.
ReplyDeleteit is sickening >:(
ReplyDeleteThis is sickening! I hope everyone reading this will contact those companies as well; I know I will! My 7-month-old is currently going through chemo and is feeling so bad from the side effects that he's been tube fed since Friday. I wish they could see him and, all the other babies here at the oncology ward. They should be forced to hear all the stories about little helpless children fighting and, often losing the much too great battle of cancer. But at the same time I doubt that seeing the babies here and, or, learning about little ones such as your lovely Peyton would make a difference to such people. All they'll ever care about is profit...
ReplyDeleteThis is sickening! I hope everyone reading this will contact those companies as well; I know I will! My 7-month-old is currently going through chemo and is feeling so bad from the side effects that he's been tube fed since Friday. I wish they could see him and, all the other babies here at the oncology ward. They should be forced to listen to all the stories about helpless little children fighting and, often losing the much too great battle of cancer. But at the same time I doubt that seeing the babies here and, or, hearing about little ones such as your lovely Peyton would make a difference to such people. All they'll ever care about is profit...
ReplyDeleteIt is sickening, and there are those people who tell you (well tell me) that I can't protect my daughter forever. That I can't make everything she eats, I can't avoid GMO, etc. How do you deal with this, do you and your hubs go out to eat? Do you do what the rest of the world does? I can't I feel like if I do I'm slowing killing myself. I defiantly don't let Brooklyn eat that shit at restaurants. I am not crazy, I can't be... Or am I?
ReplyDeleteI have to thank you for this post. My ten-month old daughter is close to outgrowing her Chicco and I had every intention of buying a Graco carseat for the next step. Now I am *immediately* replacing the chicco rather than waiting another day, but with First Years model. I've never been so thankful that I couldn't afford a co-sleeper.
ReplyDeleteI've only been reading your blog for a couple of days. You write so very well, such resonating expression of all you feel. Peyton was and remains a precious gift, and you honor her life with all you share. You said you don't feel like you advocate for her, but this post shows that you advocate for Peyton, other Baby Loss Mama, and even for my daughter! I will be sharing this info with others.
I'm so sorry Peyton's not in your arms where she belongs!