Dangers of Flame Retardants
Flame retardants have been associated with many different cancers, lower IQ, behavioral issues, and reproductive/ hormonal damage. Additionally, they do not break down easily, so they stick around in the environment for years. They have also been found to bioaccumulate (build up) in humans systems over time.
Kids are most vulnerable to flame retardants because they are still developing. They also explore almost everything with their mouth so the chances of them ingesting these chemicals is much higher. Additionally, studies have been found to show that added flame retardants don’t provide the level of effectiveness as some believed.
The NIH and NTP (National Toxicology Program) are both furthering their studies into the effects of flame retardants and trying to find safer alternatives.
Types of Flame Retardants
Per NIH there are multiple types of flame retardants. Read the below information from their informational website (https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/flame_retardants/index.cfm)
Brominated flame retardants — Contain bromine and are the most abundantly used flame retardants. Used in many consumer goods, including electronics, furniture, building materials, etc. and have been linked to endocrine disruption among other effects.
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE’s) —PBDEs do not chemically bind with the products to which they are added (furniture, electronics, etc.) so they easily release from these products and enter air and dust. PBDEs can lower birth weight/length of children, and impair neurological development.
Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) — Widely used to make computer circuit boards and electronics. Also used in some textiles and paper, or as an additive in other flame retardants.
Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) — An additive primarily used in polystyrene foam building materials. The primary risk to humans is from leaching out of products and getting into indoor dust. Low levels of HBCD have also been found in some food products.
Organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) — With the phasing out of PBDEs, some OPFRs have been identified as replacements.
Infant Car Seats Without Flame Retardants
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Uppababy Mesa
Per their website, the Uppababy Mesa is “A chemical-free choice. Through its innovative use of Merino wool, the HENRY and JORDAN MESA fashions are the first car seats to pass federal safety standards without the use of fire retardant chemicals. The wicking properties of Merino wool keep babies cool on hot days and warm on cool days.”
This car seat easily clicks into the Uppbaby Vista* or Cruz* strollers making for an easy travel system. Additionally, many brands sell converters that allows the Mesa to connect to their strollers. Check out Strolleria for the full list of compatible strollers.
Color/Style: Jordan and Henry colors, only
Seat Materials: Wool MESA Outer Covering: 65% wool / 35% polyester. Canopy: 100% polyester Filling: 100% Polyurethane Foam. Padding: 100% Polyurethane Foam
Fabric/Material Certifications: Merino wool fabric is OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified
Key Features: Removable and washable seat fabric, no-rethread harness that adjusts with headrest, UPF hideaway canopy, carry handle with stroller release button, SMARTSecure® System installs in seconds, red-to-green tightness indicator, built-in lock-off for secure seatbelt installation, level indicators on both sides
Height Range: Up to 32″
Weight Range: 4-35 lbs
Carrier Weight: 9.9 lbs
NHTSA Rating: 5 stars
Where to Buy: Buy Buy Baby* | Pottery Barn Kids* | Amazon* | Albee Baby* | Bloomingdales*
Nuna Pipa Series (Pipa, Pipa RX, Pipa Lite, Pipa Lite R, and Pipa Lite LX)
Color/Style: All models and styles are flame retardant free
Seat Materials:
- PIPA: Polyester
- PIPA RX: Organic jersey knit
- PIPA Lite: One polyester set, one organic cotton set (2 sets)
- PIPA Lite R: Organic jersey knit
- PIPA Lite LX: One merino wool set, one organic cotton set (2 sets)
Fabric/Material Certifications: UL GREENGUARD GOLD Certified
Key Features: Removable, full coverage two position & protective UPF 50+ canopy with flip out eyeshade, 5-second True lock™ base installation, dream drape (unavailable on Lite, and Lite R models)
Height Range: Up to 32”
Weight Range: 4 to 32 lbs
Carrier Weight:
- PIPA: 8 lbs
- PIPA RX: 7.5 lbs
- PIPA Lite: 5.3 lbs
- PIPA Lite R: 5.3 lbs
- PIPA Lite LX: 5.7 lbs
NHTSA Rating: 4 stars (Nuna PIPA Lite LX)
Where to Buy: The Tot* | Albee Baby* | Nordstrom* | Pottery Barn Kids* | Neiman Marcus*
Under the Nuna brand, you can also find these car seats that have been marketed as flame retardent free:
Bugaboo Turtle One by Nuna
Where to Buy: The Tot* | Pottery Barn Kids* | Bugaboo* | Target* | Buy Buy Baby* | Albee Baby* | Amazon*
Stokke PIPA by Nuna
Where to Buy: The Tot* | Amazon* | Albee Baby* | Buy Buy Baby* | Neiman Marcus* | Stokke*
Clek (Liing & Liingo)
Rated as #1 of the top 6 best overall infant car seats by Consumer Reports, the Clek Liing has safety in mind all around. With its anti-rotation rebound leg, easy installation, and Green Guard Gold certified materials, it’s hard to go wrong with this option. Interested in an infant car seat that doesn’t need a base? The new Clek Liingo is for you! Clek ensures that their car seats can fit three across, so if you have a growing family, these are a great option. Both seats are compatible with many strollers. For a full list of compatibility check out Albee Baby.
Color/Style: Mammoth Collection only
Seat Materials: Merino wool + TENCEL® blend
Fabric/Material Certifications: UL GREENGUARD GOLD Certified
Key Features: Anti-rotation metal load leg absorbs energy in a collision, adjustable sun canopy has 3 positions and SPF 100, with mesh peekaboo window, effortless installation with vehicles built-in anchors using the Rigid-LATCH system, belt-tensioning system provides secure belt installation for vehicles without anchors, designed with a European belt path, the carrier can be securely installed in a vehicle with or without the base, can be recycled through their car seat recycling program, 9-year life span
Height Range: Up to 32″
Weight Range: 4-35 lbs
Carrier Weight: 9 lbs
NHTSA Rating: 4 stars
Where to Buy: The Tot* (Liing) | Albee Baby* (Liing) | Albee Baby* (Liingo) | Buy Buy Baby (Liing) | Buy Buy Baby (Liingo)
Britax B-Safe Series
Britax is known for the safety features of their car seats and over the years they have expanded their flame retardent free SafeWash to many of their car seats. In 2021 a new generation of the Britax Endeavors infant seat was replaced with the B-Safe Gen2 FlexFit+. While you may still be able to find some Endeavors for sale, it may become more difficult as the B-Safe version becomes more common. While Britax has confirmed that these seat covers are flame retardent-free, there has been no confirmation on the other materials of the seat.
Color/Style: SafeWash Versions only
- B-Safe Gen2 FlexFit+: Drift and Jet
- B-Safe Gen2 FlexFit: Cowmooflage 2.0, Stainless Stay Clean, & Twilight
- B-Safe Gen2: Cobblestone, Greystone, & Eclipse Black
- Endeavors: Otto
Seat Materials: Polyester blend
Fabric/Material Certifications: N/A
Key Features: Impact Stabilizing Steel Frame, Adjustable Reclining Base, Installation Level Indicators, European belt path (BSafe Ultra, Gen2 FlexFit, Endeavours, & Gen2 FlexFit+), ARB Base (Endeavours & Gen2 FlexFit+), Machine washable covers
Height Range: Up to 32″
Weight Range: 4 – 35 lbs
Carrier Weight:
- B-Safe Gen2 FlexFit+: 11.6 lbs
- B-Safe Gen2 FlexFit: 11.6 lbs
- B-Safe Gen2: 10 lbs
- Endeavors: 11 lbs
Where to Buy: Amazon* | Buy Buy Baby* | Target* | Albee Baby*
Maxi-Cosi (Mico 30, Mico XP Max, & Coral XP)
Knowing the importance of safe materials, Maxi Cosi has recently released 3 new infant car seats made with their PureCosi fabric. According to Maxi Cosi “We know that carrying the future means protecting your little one, so we developed car seats that meet flammability standards through material choices instead of added chemicals. PureCosi™ fabrics are made without wool or added fire retardant treatment (and they’re still removable and machine washer- and dryer-safe for easy cleaning).” Additionally, they note “PureCosi™ is just the beginning of our journey to take care of the environment. By removing wool and added fire retardant treatments from our design process, we’re able to reduce the accumulation of PBDEs and PFAs, two common types of fire retardants, in the environment, one car seat at a time.”
Color/Style: PureCosi Styles Only
- Mico 30: Midnight Black – PureCosi, Polished Pebble – PureCosi, Radish Ruby – PureCosi, Slated Sky – PureCosi
- Mico XP Max: Essential Black – PureCosi, Sonar Grey – PureCosi, Sonar Plum – PureCosi, Sonar Blue – PureCosi
- Coral XP: Essential Black – PureCosi, Essential Graphite – PureCosi, Essential Red – PureCosi, Essential Blue – PureCosi
Seat Materials: wool-free polyester
Fabric/Material Certifications: N/A
Key Features: Anti-Rotation Load Leg (not available with Pure Cosi Mico 30), adjustable canopy, travel system compatible, one-click LATCH system & adjustable base
Height Range: Up to 32”
Weight Range:
- Mico 30: 4-30 lbs
- Mico XP Max: 4-30 lbs
- Coral XP: 4-22 lbs
Carrier Weight:
- Mico 30: 8.5 lbs
- Mico XP Max: 9 lbs
- Coral XP: 5 lbs
Where to Buy: Pottery Barn Kids* | Maxi Cosi (Mico 30)* | Maxi Cosi (Mico XP Max)* | Maxi Cosi (Coral XP)* | Buy Buy Baby* | Amazon* | Target*
Resources/References:
https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/materials/flame_retardants_508.pdf
https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/flame_retardants/index.cfm
https://factor.niehs.nih.gov/2015/8/science-flameretardant/index.htm
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2957927/