Sources of Phosphorus, Arsenic, and Antimony

• Compounds of one or more of these elements are present in virtually all crib mattresses (except in UK) as well as adult mattresses and sofas/couches 

• The chemicals occur in various natural fibres

• Phosphorus compounds are frequently used as plasticisers in flexible polyvinyl chloride

• Antimony is present in virtually all commercial PVC

• Antimony is used in the polymerisation of PVC and polyester, and as an additive for fire retardency

• Arsenic is sometimes used in fungicide chemicals (eg OBPA) in mattresses, and is often present as an impurity in commercial antimony

• All three elements are usually present in sheepskins

Common Household Items with these Elements:

1. Infant car seat cushions. Abandon the fairly new practice of carrying your baby around in his infant seat from stop to stop. The more often your baby is in it, sweating, urinating, spitting up, the more dangerous the seat becomes. Wash the padding frequently to prevent fungus from growing inside the padding which leads to toxic gases.

2. Infant swing padding. Same as above. Wash frequently or don't use.

3. Padded furniture such as a couch. Never sleep with baby on a couch/sofa.

4. Pillows. Polyester or other synthetic filled pillows are horrible!

5. Your bed. Just like baby mattresses, in the US, all beds are mandated to be fire retardant. Organic cotton mattresses are available with a doctor's prescription. Never sleep baby on your bed. Use a co-sleeper instead.

6. Polyester fleece or poly filled comforters or quilts. Do not use any synthetic bedding for baby whatsoever.