Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep

By Danielle

Now I lay me down to sleep….I pray the flame retardants do not seep….out of my kids pajamas! Yikes. Say what? Whatchewtalkinbout?! 

I’m talking about SVOC’s (semi-volatile organic compounds) or more specifically: PBDE’s (even though no longer used, they remain present in older furniture and remain in house dust—sometimes for many years) , TCDPP’s, and TCEP or if you’re super good at pronouncing long confusing words, PBDE’s stand for Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers, TCDPP’s= Tris (1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate, and TCEP= tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate, etc….(these names give me a headache—literally and figuratively)… or in simpler terms—flame retardants. 

Ughhhhhhh…..any time the word flame retardants come up, I feel my blood boil and my head start to pound. Why? Because they are everywhere, they are highly toxic, we breathe, absorb and even EAT them, they settle in our houses as dust, and they are, mostly, ineffective at containing fires. 

So let’s start from the beginning. What is a flame retardant? Flame retardants are chemicals that are added to a product to slow or resist it’s burning. Some fabrics, like wool, can naturally be flame resistant due to its natural chemical structure, but here in this post, we are talking about man-made flame retardants…the chemical kind that are sprayed onto our clothes and furniture. 🙄

Why are flame retardants used? 

toddler-boy-watching-tv.jpg

First of all, our houses are FILLED to the gills (as my mom would say) with highly flammable stuff…think plastics, wood, foam, stuff that’s supposed to look like wood, etc and can easily catch on fire. 

Second, chemical companies make a shit ton of money off of them. 

Third, in 1975 (there we go with these super old and outdated safety standards again!), California passed a law requiring the use of flame retardants in furniture, bedding, and even clothes (ie: our kids pajamas). The intention was to slow down the ignition of a furniture burn by 12 seconds. California has since reversed that standard, but the majority of furniture makers still make their products with flame retardants. ** heavy audible sigh**

Every time we plop ourselves down on our couches to watch Game of Thrones, a teeny tiny bit of those chemicals poof themselves out into the air— especially if you have any cuts, tears, or holes your couch (sofa, chesterfield…whatever you want to call it). Those chemicals then settle on our floors, lamps, counter tops, tables and then end up on our hands and IN our bodies through inhalation or inadvertent ingesting. 

In fact, the WORST place to eat your food is on your couch! Those same particles of flame retardants that poof out of our couches end up on our hands each time we touch it, then we pick up that pizza to chow down and inadvertently eat them. Last time I checked, flame retardants weren’t a pizza topping!

Speaking of flame retardants in our bodies, a 2019 study by Heather Stapelton and the good folks of Duke University found flame retardants in the urine of every American child that they tested! These chemicals are associated with a variety of health concerns: 

  • Lowered IQ

  • Decreased birth weight

  • Neurodevelopment delays

  • Diabetes

  • Memory loss

  • Early onset of puberty

  • Lowered levels of male hormones

  • Undescended testicles

  • Memory loss

  • Hyperthyroidism

  • Cancer

WHAT?!?! 

Children are especially vulnerable because their brains and bodies are still developing. 

four-little-kids-pajamas.kpg.jpg

Where are flame retardants lurking? 

  • House dust (always wet dust and wet mop your home)

  • Children’s pajamas (this one pisses me off the most) 🤯

  • Children’s toys

  • Crib Mattresses

  • Living room furniture

  • Mattresses

  • Carpets

  • Curtains

  • Televisions, computer, laptops, mobile phones

How do we avoid flame retardants? 

  • READ LABLES. Watch out for: Brominated flame retardants: PDEB’s, TBBPA’s, OPFR’s, HBCD’s

  • Invest in a HEPA filter vacuum

  • Buy pajamas with YELLOW TAGS and look for cotton or organic cotton options. Stay away from polyester blends. My kids and I love Hanna Andersson, Hatley, and Burts Bees organic pajamas

  • Wash hands frequently

  • Do not eat on your couch

  • Opt for wood-based furniture instead of plastics or MDF

I know it isn’t easy, and I know it’s overwhelming, but here is where small steps can make a BIG impact! 

Every little thing that you do to avoid flame retardants is a drop out of your body burden bucket. I’m not saying go up to your kids rooms and throw out every single pair of pajamas you own or throw your couch out to the curb—just consider buying organic or yellow tag pajamas or a safe alternative couch the next time you need them. It takes approximately 56 washes to rid their pj’s of flame retardants…so keep the old ones—if they fit, but when it’s time for new ones remember the yellow tag. As far as the couch goes, if it has holes, rips, or tears, where the chemicals can seep out, consider investing in a new one. 

Always remember, small steps can have a HUGE impact when it comes to lowering your body burden and protecting your health—every little bit counts!! Going forward, make informed decisions and just do the best you can! You’re a rockstar! You’ve got this!!


Easy shop wisely 

Easy

shop wisely

Peasy

look for wood based furniture

Lemon

look for the yellow tag on pajamas or buy organic

Squeezy

eat at the table like your Mama taught you!

Give Me the Sugar

Hanna Andersson Organic Kids Pajamas

Hatley Organic Kids Pajamas

Burt's Bees Organic Kids Pajamas


Sleep well, friends! xox 

Danielle Fyke