Phthalate Fact Sheet

1. What Did the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) Do?:

(a) Three varieties of Phthalates are banned (as of Feb. 10, 2009) for any (primary) child care article, including items that a baby can lick (but not put into its mouth). The three varieties of phthalates in this category are DEHP, DBP, and BBP.

(b) Three additional varieties are banned for (primary) child care articles that a baby can put into its mouth. These are DINP, DIDP, and DnOP.

(c) There is another phthalate (DnHP) that is a Proposition 65 listed carcinogen. However, this phthalate has not (yet) been banned at all.

NOTE: Even after the ban, mattresses can be free of some phthalates, yet contain other phthalates, and still be compliant with the regulations. Further, phthalate substitutes can be used (i.e. other plasticizer chemicals) that are (still) legal.

NOTE: It is still not clear whether crib mattresses are considered to be (primary) child care articles and, as such, whether the phthalates ban includes crib mattresses at all or to what degree. A resolution from the CPSC may not happen until after August 2009 when all the new CPSC commissioners are seated. (However, if it turns out that any phthalates are banned for crib mattresses, then such ban would be retroactive as of February 10, 2009.)

2. What is Polyvinyl Chloride/PVC/ Vinyl?:

“PVC” (as in the hard PVC piping in your home) is “Polyvinyl chloride”. “Vinyl” (as in the exterior layer of a typical baby mattress or the exterior layer of a car seat), is also “Polyvinyl chloride,” just like the PVC hard pipe. Except for one thing. When you add a plasticizer to the hard polyvinyl chloride, you get soft polyvinyl chloride. And when it’s hard, it’s commonly referred to as “PVC”. When it’s soft, it’s commonly referred to as “vinyl”. But regardless of whether it’s the hard PVC or soft vinyl, it’s basically the same polyvinyl chloride, which is made from petroleum plus chlorine (and its intermediary stage is “vinyl chloride” which is highly toxic).

3. What Are Phthalates?:

Phthalates (pronounced “thalates”, i.e. just ignore the “ph”) are chemical plasticizers, and are the primary plasticizers for vinyl. They make things soft and pliable, and are used particularly in turning hard polyvinyl chloride into soft vinyl. There are many varieties of phthalates.

4. What’s the Problem With Phthalates?:

(a) Phthalates Are Toxic.

They have been linked by medical and scientific studies to:
  • Cancer (particularly to liver and testes)
  • Hormonal and Endocrine Difficulties (particularly in males)
  • Asthma
  • Allergies

    • “This study shows that phthalates...are associated with allergic symptoms in children.”
    (National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, October 2004)

    “Phthalates adversely affect the male reproductive system...”
    (National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, September 2005)

    “DEHP has been shown to...reduce testosterone”
    (University of Rochester School of Medicine, June 2005)


    (b) Phthalates Leach Out Of The Vinyl.

    “Leaching out of” or “off-gassing” or “out-gassing” all mean that the chemical isn’t permanently bound to the material it’s in, but instead will be released into the surrounding air (which can be breathed by a baby, etc.)

    “Phthalates are not covalently bound to the plastic matrix and leach out of PVC.”
    (American Academy of Pediatrics, June 2003)

    NOTE: For perspective, when old vinyl starts to get brittle and crack, that’s because the phthalate plasticizers have entirely off-gassed and are no longer in the vinyl.

    5. Will The CPSC Ban Other Chemicals as Well?:

    The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 requires the CPSC to continue developing new rules (for all children’s products) on an ongoing basis. Will we find out that other chemicals, legal today, will be banned in the future? Probably. Meanwhile, regarding phthalates and other harmful chemicals, millions of babies and children continue to sleep on mattresses made with these chemicals.

    6. Are Problems With Crib Mattresses Bigger Than We Realize?

    “...crib mattresses emitted mixtures of chemicals capable of causing respiratory-tract irritation and generating combinations of SI [sensory irritation], PI [pulmonary irritation] and AFL [airflow limitation]...chemicals...involved in the manufacture of the mattress and cover...have toxic properties...to lung, liver, and brain...respiratory tract irritants...carcinogenic and neurotoxic...”
    (Anderson, Archives of Environmental Health, May 1999)

    7. The Naturepedic Approach:

    (a) Use organic and non-toxic materials;

    (b) Use non-toxic fire protection, waterproofing and dust mite protection;

    (c) Eliminate vinyl, polyurethane foam, so-called “eco-foam” or “plant-derived foam”, phthalates, brominated/chlorinated fire retardants, modacrylic, polyacrylonitrile, antimony, boric acid, melamine, etc.;

    (d) Eliminate biocides (when a product says it’s “anti-microbial” or “anti-bacterial”, it may contain pesticides);

    (e) Eliminate known potentially allergenic materials, particularly so-called “natural” latex, a WELL DOCUMENTED allergen;

    (f) Provide a firm flat surface (in accordance with CPSC and pediatrician recommendations).

    8. Naturepedic Supporters:

    All Naturepedic mattresses are certified by GREENGUARD and recommended by well-known environmental and children’s advocacy coalitions, e.g. “Healthy Child Healthy World”, Green America, Washington Toxics Coalition, Debra’s List, etc.

    Naturepedic is the “Baby Bargains” Top Pick for Organic Mattresses. Naturepedic is also the winner of several industry awards, including iParenting Media Awards, PTPA Awards, NAPPA Awards, and Mom’s Best Awards.

    The health and safety of your baby should not be negotiable.
    -Welcome to Naturepedic.