There Might Be Toxins in Your Child’s Clothing—Here’s What You Need To Know

According to new research by the author of 'To Dye For,' children's clothing is often covered in chemicals that can affect kids' health long-term.

Staying on top of a child’s wardrobe can often feel like a full-time job. From keeping tabs on what they’ve grown out of and what they’ll need for the next season, to remembering what they will wear and what they won’t (“No mommy! No pants!”) dressing your little one can be riddled with complications. Now, in addition to considering form and function when it comes to children’s clothes, Alden Wicker’s new book, To Dye For has many parents also wondering whether their child’s clothing could in fact be affecting their health as well.

Through in-depth investigative reporting, Wicker’s new title explores the unregulated use of toxic chemicals used in the production of textiles and clothing, the lasting harm they can cause, and what steps individuals can take to protect themselves and work for change.

What Has Been Found in Clothing

In her chilling revelations, Wicker lists dozens of toxic chemicals that have been found on clothing items, ranging from lesser-known Alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEOs) and restricted azo dyes, to chemicals like formaldehyde and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (known commonly as PFAS) which have been linked to everything from cancer to immune suppression. While many parents may already be accustomed to checking water bottles and other household items for things like Bisphenol A (BPA), through Wicker’s research we see that these chemicals are found everywhere—from school uniforms to the bedding we sleep in.

“Formaldehyde is deliberately used for wrinkle-free shirts and bedding,” Wicker shared in an email. “PFAS, a class of chemicals linked to cancer, reproductive disorders, obesity, and immune suppression, are deliberately added for water and stain repellency—they've been found in tests in children's clothing and uniforms. Disperse dyes are used to dye polyester, those are definitely deliberately added, even though they're common skin sensitizers.”

Accidentally Contaminated or Deliberately Applied?

Wicker shares that even when the use of these toxins is limited by the manufacture of clothing, contamination can also result from accidental contact with other environmental sources of these toxins (i.e. a shipping container or cross-contamination with another product in a factory). More commonly, though, these toxins are deliberately used to provide different sought-after properties (like wrinkle resistance or stain repellency) to clothing.

“Some chemicals that are used [...] are supposed to be stripped off later in the manufacturing process, but sometimes that doesn't fully happen,” she notes, explaining how “accidental” contamination could occur.

“Some dye houses and factories are sloppy, and there's cross-contamination between product runs. Or they're using dyes [...] with heavy metals like lead or arsenic that they were told not to use, but use anyway because they are cheaper or brighter. Sometimes pesticides, like highly toxic chlordane which has been banned in the United States since the ‘80s, are used in the warehouse or container ship and find their way onto clothing.”

Dr. Joseph M. Braun, Ph. D., an Associate Professor with the Department of Epidemiology at Brown University, notes that when products or items are treated with chemicals like phthalates, flame retardants and PFAS, one of the greatest risks stems from “off-gassing” or “leaching” into our environments.

“This process is insidious,” he notes, “especially for products that stay in our home for a long time (e.g., couches). The short-term example is buying a new mattress or carpet. It smells for the first few days because there is an initial "load" of chemicals off-gassing from the product, which is what you notice. But many of those chemicals are still in the carpet or mattress and "leak" out slowly after.

Toxic Chemical Exposures Can Have Lifelong Consequences

While many of us may take it for granted that a number of chemicals and synthetic materials are needed to create the clothing we wear every day, the unregulated use of these particular toxic chemicals is troubling particularly when used to produce children’s clothing.

The results of exposure can range from mild—Wicker notes that one of the most frequent complaints she’s heard from parents is that of rashes and eczema in their children—to severe.

“Children are absolutely at a higher risk,” Wicker says. “Their bodies are smaller, so it takes a much lower dose to have an effect. Plus, they tend to stick clothing in their mouths, or crawl around in whatever house dust you have, and then put that in their mouths.”

Dr. Braun notes that exposure to toxic chemicals, especially phthalates, can affect children before they’re even born. Collaborating with colleagues to analyze sixteen different studies exploring the side effects of phthalate exposure, Dr. Braun recently revealed unsettling consequences for pregnant mothers.

“There is considerable evidence that exposure to phthalates during pregnancy can increase the risk of preterm birth (i.e., delivery before 37 weeks) by 12-16%,” he says.

When it comes to direct exposure, Wicker notes that endocrine disruptors or chemicals that affect hormones can be especially detrimental to young children.

“It takes a vanishingly tiny amount to interfere with a child's development,” she emphasized. “With lifetime consequences.” 

What To Do if You Suspect Your Child Is Having a Reaction

What To Do if You Suspect Your Child Is Having a Reaction

In a perfect world, Dr. Braun notes that trying to determine whether a product you’ve purchased can cause you harm wouldn’t fall to the consumer.

“Ideally, governments would develop and enforce regulations to reduce exposure to these harmful substances,” he notes. “It is unreasonable to assume that individual consumers can avoid these substances and manufacturers often take the path of least resistance when it comes to self-policing.”

Thankfully, though oversight and regulation are woefully inadequate when it comes to offering these protections to consumers, there are still measures families can take to limit their exposures.

In particular, Wicker identifies a number of steps parents can take to try to avoid toxin exposure through clothing, especially if they suspect an item in their child’s wardrobe is causing a reaction. 

Go Natural

When it comes to the materials used in children’s clothing, Wicker suggests parents stick to natural fibers whenever possible.

“'The best thing parents can do is buy clothing made of natural fibers like cotton, linen, modal, or Tencel, because they tend to have fewer hazardous finishes on them,” she says. “Buying certified organic can help, because that means the piece has moved through certified organic factories.”

If you notice a reaction, don’t hesitate to make a change and see if that has an effect, Wicker suggests.

“If your child is suffering from rashes in places where clothing touches, try dressing them in undyed, unprinted cotton clothing for a couple of weeks to see if that helps.” 

Get Thrifty

Buy secondhand While trying to create an entire wardrobe from Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified fabrics might feel a little unrealistic for many families, there’s a lot to be said for browsing your local thrift store for gently used children’s clothes or accepting hand-me-down items.

“Buying secondhand can also help somewhat since that means the piece has been washed several times and has had time to off-gas or release certain volatile organic compounds,” Wicker shares. “But the real value in buying secondhand is getting better prices for high-quality children's clothing in natural fibers.”

As with any new item of clothing, don’t forget to wash everything with non-scented detergents before using, especially if your secondhand clothes come from a household that uses scented cleaners. Wicker notes that the chemicals used to produce those scents can also be toxic and remain in the fabric for quite some time.

Choose Brands That Are Committed to Safety

When possible If you do choose to buy new for your child’s clothing, research which brands have committed to safe production practices. Wicker notes that many large brands (think Levi’s, Nike, Vans, H&M, Adidas, New Balance, Old Navy, and Target’s in-house brands) have strong chemical management programs and can be a smart option for parents looking to make more informed decisions about what their children are wearing.

Looking to the Future

While industry regulations are still quite lax when it comes to educating and protecting consumers and workers alike, there are many measures that the United States could take to ensure the health and safety of those who purchase and produce these products.

One crucial step, Wicker notes, could be to restrict or ban known toxins in the production of apparel products, rather than attempting to test each individual subset.

Wicker also advocates for more funding for testing and the implementation of a European-style regulatory system where chemicals are registered and information about their use is provided before products are put on the market––though she admits it’s an unlikely prospect.

“How likely is this?” Wicker asks. “Well, we haven't made much progress since the 1980s, and the chemical industry has really made it impossible for us to protect our children. For example, the American Chemistry Council is suing the EPA for a draft proposal saying formaldehyde is carcinogenic, which we know is true.”

When it comes to finding a resolution to such a pervasive problem, Wicker emphasizes that what’s truly needed is a “complete overhaul of the way we manage chemicals in this country.”

“[...] It's going to be a hard fight. But the current situation is untenable, that is for sure.”

For more Parents news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Parents.