Chemicals in Baby Products - Should You Worry?

Many parents became alarmed recently due to some new reports that suggest their children are at high risk of exposure to phthalates in baby products, such as shampoos, lotions and powders. The study found elevated levels of phthalates in the urine of babies who had recently been bathed or had powder or lotion applied.

In animal studies, phthalates have been shown to cause some reproductive birth defects. Rigorous human studies have not been done, and this latest report doesn't do much to show whether the infants were actually harmed by the phthalates in their urine or whether the baby products were actually responsible for the presence of the phthalates.

About.com's Guide to Pediatrics, Vince Iannelli, M.D., says that the phthalates issue is still quite controversial and that more study is warranted. I suggest that concerned parents take a look at Vince's article on chemicals in your baby's environment. This article addresses concerns about phthalates, as well as VOCs in paints and BPA in plastic bottles.