Safbaby.com is urging legislation to restrict the presence of formaldehyde in textile products. For any clothing articles that do contain formaldehyde, a mandatory label ("contains formaldehyde...") needs to be available for the consumer to know that the presence of this toxic gas is there.
Formaldehyde is strongly suspected of carcinogenic properties and can provoke allergic reactions like irritation of the eyes, skin and the respiratory system. Furthermore, formaldehyde can cause lung oedema and asthma when it is taken up through the respiratory organs.
It is commonly used in the clothing manufacturing industry as a stain resistant mechanism, to resist mildew, to fix color to a fabric, to give a permanent press effect, to stop shrinking and to make fabric more flame resistant. The application of formaldehyde primarily concerns cotton, viscose, linen and their blends with synthetic fibers.
Although Europe and Japan have limits set as to what they will allow for formaldehyde in textiles, the USA does not have ANY safety standard in place.
European Countries like Austria, Finland, Germany, Norway and Netherlands have laid down national legislation restricting the presence of formaldehyde in textile products. The US needs to get with the times here as well. This needs to be done for the health and well-being of our children and consumers at large.
Dear President Obama
We are writing to express our concern about the lack of regulations regarding the dangerous gas, formaldehyde, that hides excessively in textiles in the United States.
European Countries and Japan strictly restrict the presence of formaldehyde in textile products and following label must be added to textiles: "Contains Formaldehyde. It is recommended to wash this garment before the first use to avoid irritation of the skin"
Formaldehyde is strongly suspected of carcinogenic properties and can provoke allergic reactions like irritation of the eyes, skin and the respiratory system. Furthermore, formaldehyde can cause lung oedema and asthma when it is taken up through the respiratory organs.
Our children are especially vulnerable to these toxins!
It's time for the US to take action to restrict and clearly label formaldehyde in textiles. We are urging strict regulations and labeling in children's clothing and bedding.
Thank you for looking into this issue, and for making our children's health and well-being a top priority.
