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Plastics: The Further You Dig, The Worse It Gets
May 12, 2008

I've been researching the plastics that contain Bisphenol-A for a couple of weeks now.  It seems as though the more answers I find, the more questions and concerns that I have.  I started to lay out a plastics matrix, a categorization of different types of plastics and their attributes.  The further I dig into the chemical make-up and potential side-effects of exposure, the more concerned I become.

We've known for a while that PVC (Polyvinyl Carbonate) was not so great.  Many of us have heard of phthalates even if we don't know exactly what they are.  Well, I still don't know what they are but I do know that they're in pretty much anything that is vinyl and that exposure to phthalates is bad.  Guess what, vinyl is used to waterproof just about everything for babies.  Scared yet?

Let me pause a moment to assure you that I have no intention of stirring up mass hysteria but...

It gets worse.  I have also learned that foam is rubber with lots of chemicals added to it including compounds like formaldehyde.  There is foam in everything, including my very own pillow (memory foam, sound familiar?).  I'm sure that inhaling formaldehyde fumes has not benefited my chronic sinus condition.  Luckily, most innerspring crib mattresses use very little foam rubber.  I will not be selling any more solid foam crib mattresses without informing consumers of the less toxic advantages of an innerspring version.  I know that there are mattresses that don't use foam or PVC but not every single customer is willing to go that route.  It becomes a matter of knowing your customer.

With all of this going on, where is the market headed?  I think my generation is going to be the one to really move things back to the more natural, less-efficient, less-cost-effective way of doing things.  We are learning that doing what is convenient is not always what is best.  I do not believe that the eco-movement is a trend or fad.  I think that we as consumers are becoming "aware" for the first time in our lives.  There will always be a market for the quick and easy, but a new era is upon us.  We are responsible for knowing the products we are using and taking that knowledge to new heights.  We have the ability to persuade the market into doing the right thing, not the easy thing.

I will keep you posted as my research develops and I will post my matrix once it is complete.  I am including manufacturers and products on my list as a reference for my employees and my consumers.  I would love it if any of you manufacturers have contributions to the matrix.  All information, as long as it is accurate, is good information.  If ignorance is bliss, knowledge is responsibility and I am up for the challenge of owning the knowledge.

Addendum 5-19-08:
It has come to my attention that Colgate mattresses, the number one brand on the market, does not use formaldehyde or other noxious chemicals in their foam.  Theirs is a basic Polyurethane foam without all of the additives of "cheap" foam.  The vinyl that Colgate uses does contain some phthalates but only certain types of phthalates are dangerous.  Colgate mattresses do not contain phthalates that are known or suspected to be potentially dangerous.  Colgate is committed to providing the best and safest products available, just as they always have.

I would like to reiterate that I am not a scientist and the information provided in my blog is acquired from various sources both in the industry and online.  As new information comes to my attention, I will do my best to correct anything that says or implies any untruth.  If you have information to contribute, please do not hesitate to comment or to contact me personally.

Posted by Kelly Nelson on May 12, 2008 | Comments (2)