Bumbleride stroller-One of the Strollers Recommended by OBU
Who would think that companies would add fire retardants to strollers?!! How is this protecting our children by having a 100% chance of exposing them to toxic chemicals every time they are running errands or traveling with us, and I can only guess a 0% chance of the flame retardant in a stroller saving a life! If there was a fire you wouldn’t be strapping your child in the stroller to run out of a house! You would be carrying them! Perhaps there are arguments for the use of these chemicals in children’s products like strollers but here at Organic Baby University, we do not believe the unlikely benefits outweigh the definite daily risks. So we have contacted every company we could think of to try to find out if they use toxic chemicals in their strollers. This is not our complete list as we are waiting on several company responses. It makes weeks and months to get information from some companies. We will have a link to part 2 when it is posted. So….Here are the results! Education is the key to protecting your children!
We have highlighted the company name in our color code according to our view of the safety of chemical choices the company has made or the information they have provided.
- Green is for companies that have answered all of our questions and do not use harmful chemicals.
- Orange is for companies that may have given us partial answers or use no flame retardants but do use PVC for example. We will change these colors as we receive more information from the company.
- Red is used for companies that use chemicals that we believe are harmful to children.
Stroller Companies:
Bumbleride
Our strollers are BPA, Phthalates, Lead, and PVC free. We do not use any flame retardants in our products. Please feel free to contact us with any additional questions!
Due to misleading information we have had to change this product to red. We were told they do NOT contain FR and now we are told in fact, the do!
Update 12/7/2012:
Thank you so much for your email and interest in Bumbleride! I am more than happy to address your questions. All of our products are free of Lead, Bromine, Chlorine, PVC, BPA, and Phthalates. The foam inside of the fabric is treated with flame retardants to meet the CA TB117 requirements, however the fabric itself it not treated with any chemicals.
The foam is made of a Polyester/Polyurethane Foam, following the composition:
1. 35% TDI (Tolylene Dissocyanate)
2. 55% PPG (Polypropylene Glycol)
3. 10% Others (water, silicon, …. )
Bumbleride products pass and exceed the stringent standards of the CPSIA Act of 2008 and current ASTM standards.
We also offer the movement edition fabric which is made up of a tightly woven polyester blend that creates a water resistant barrier. Our natural edition fabric is made of 50% recycled materials and 50% bamboo fiber. This will regulate body temperature, absorb moisture, and inhibit bacterial growth.
The canopy is lined with a metallic mesh fabric which reflects UV rays that are absorbed into the top layer of the canopy. There are no chemicals used to add the SPF.
Company Website Click Here
Baby Trend
(These are known as some of the most dangerous flame retardants! They have been phased out by nearly ALL companies and should be avoided!!!)
We use Brominated Flame retardents on all fabric. We do not sell cribs or activity centers, but the plastic used on carseats is Polly Propylene. The plastic used on the High Chairs, Strollers, Walkers, and Joggers is Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, Poly Propylene, and Poly Ethylene. If you have any further questions, please feel free to email me back.
Company Website Click Here
Kolcraft (Jeep Strollers)
This company refused to answer any questions after repeated attempts. This is the response we would receive. We do not recommend supporting or purchasing from companies that refuse to disclose what are in their products:
I can answer your questions below by saying that we are fully compliant
with federal regulations in the production of juvenile products.
Company Website Click Here
Inglesina
All of our products undergo a flame retardant exposure. I am unaware of the specific type that is used but it is a requirement from our manufacturer in Italy. They are also BPA and lead free. Our Fast and Zuma chairs are made with regular plastic material.
Company Website Click Here
Combi
They are flame resistant without the addition of any chemicals – the
fabric meets the requirements without added retardants.
What type of plastic do you use?
Polypropylene or PP
Do your strollers contain any BPA, PVC, phthalates or lead?
No. Combi has eliminated these from their products – they are all tested and
compliant to the new CPSIA requirements.
Company Website Click Here
Least Expensive Combi Strollers We Could Find Click Here
BOB
Thank you for contacting BOB. We do not use fire retardants on our
strollers. The fabric material is treated with polyurethane to provide stain resistance and easy clean up of the stroller. Our strollers are independently tested and meet ASTM F833-10 standards and currently applicable requirements of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). These standards and regulations ensure children products like
strollers do not contain dangerous levels of hazardous elements, such as
phthalates used within PVC. Please visit www.astm.org and www.cpsc.gov for
more information.
Company Website Click Here
Cheapest Bob Strollers We Could Find Click Here
Cybex
Regarding the strollers, they are not treated with flame retardants. They also meet all CPSIA testing standards, which includes the materials you refer to, PVC, Lead, Phthalates (including DBP, DEHP, BBP, DINP, DNOP, and DIDP). In the test certifications – they do not specify what type of plastic is used – they simply refer to, for example, ‘black plastic handle’ or ‘grey plastic’ not a specific type of plastic.
12/3/2012: We have temporarily changed the rating from green to orange as it has been brought to our attention that they may actually be using FR. Will change to correct color when confirmed.
12/5/2012:
Thank you for your note to Cybex. Regal Lager is the No. American Distributor for Cybex so they forwarded me a copy of your note.
I apologize for any misinformation we may have given you regarding Cybex’s use of flame retardants. In order to meet CPSC requirement, Cybex does use flame retardants. I have attached their statements on chemical use to hopefully answer any questions you may have.
If I can be of any additional assistance or answer any further questions, please let me know and I will personally work to help you. Thank you for your interest in Cybex.
Kindest Regards,
[Jeffrey L. Durkee]
Jeffrey L. Durkee
Director of Sales
Child Passenger Safety Technician
Company Website Click Here
Peg Perego
The flame retardant is phosphoric acid esther derivatives for both strollers and car seats. Regulations require that the fabric must be flame retardant.
We use polyethylene.
4. Do your seats or strollers contain BPA/ Phthalates? PCV? Lead? The answer is no to all of these.
Company Website Click Here
The First Years/ Learning Curve
We do not use flame retardants on our strollers.
Company Website Click Here
The Least Expensive Site We Could FInd For The First Years Strollers Click Here
Graco
From a phone call: We do not use flame retardants on our strollers.
Company Website Click Here
Least Expensive Graco Strollers We Could FInd Click Here
Chicco
The stroller fabric is also treated to meet several states mandated requirements for furniture flammability.
Please know that Chicco does not use bromated or halogenated fire retardants to achieve these mandatory performance requirements and all Chicco’s products meet federal chemical requirements for children’s products.
Company Website Click Here
Bugaboo
Bugaboo strollers sold in the U.S. are not treated with flame retardants. Bugaboo strollers sold in the U.K. are treated with fire retardants. Bugaboo plastics do contain PVC, but they are well within the government mandated range. Our strollers do not contain any phthalates or lead.
Company Website Click Here
Uppa Baby
We use no chemical additives in the construction of our strollers.
As there are many types of plastics in existence, I have been told that the plastic used in our strollers are nylon-based and contain no harmful additives.
The Vista Rainshields are pthalate-free, but contain PVC to allow for waterproofing and pliability.
The Plastic used in our products is predominantly nylon based.
Company Website Click Here
Cheapest UPPA Baby Strollers We Could Find Click Here
Phil and Ted’s
No Phil and Teds or Mountain Buggy products sold in the USA has been treated with Fire retardants, with the exception of the Nest Mattress foam and the Traveller Mattress fabric. Although these 2 items are treated with Fire Retardants, the chemical referred to in the recent NY times article, namely tris (2,3-dibromopropyl) phosphate (which contains bromine), is not used.
All our products are compliant with the CPSIA regulations around lead in products.
(Be aware of the storm covers though) Our storm covers are PVC.There is no chlorine in our products. The PVC covers do contain chlorides.
Company Website Click Here
Cheapest Phil and Ted’s Strollers We Found Click Here
All the information is not guaranteed, rather it was received directly from the companies via email unless otherwise noted. All emails have been saved and documented by OBU. A green rating does not guarantee that there are no chemicals in the strollers. Only free of the chemicals that we inquired about according to their company. Your purchase is your vote! If you want safer products for our children, tell the companies you will only support companies that sell safer products!
YOU CAN ALSO VISIT OUR OTHER BLOGS IN THIS SERIES:
TOXIC FLAME RETARDANTS IN CHILDREN’S TOYS: INTRODUCTION
TOXIC FLAME RETARDANTS IN CHILDREN’S TOYS: PLUSH TOYS
FOR THE FULL SCIENTIFIC REPORT ON TOXIC FLAME RETARDANTS FOUND IN CHILDREN’S PRODUCTS CLICK HERE
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I never even thought about flame retarding material being used in baby strollers. This is good information to know. You would think that the manufactures would do they could to help the public not harm them but that is not the case. There are natural flame resistant products that have no chemicals in them, wool being one of them. Thanks for the info and I will keep an eye out for more.
http://www.babiestotoddler.com
Thank you so much for this information! This is all very helpful! I’m debating between the Bob and the Phil & Teds. I notice that you rate the Bob an “orange” but the P&T a “green.” Since neither use flame retardants I’m just wondering about your color coding methodology? What makes the P&T green worthy, in your mind?
Thank you so much for the feedback!!
-M
I did that because the BOB is coated in polyurethane. While the blog is on flame retardants I take into account plastics, lead and other treatments. I would give the BOB between an orange and green if I was going to make another category. Personally I own a BOB and I love it so I wouldn’t let you not purchase one….I just didn’t like this treatment. Hope that helps!
Jennifer
According to the email I got from P&T, they also use a poly on the back side of their stroller fabric, but they told me it was for “water proofing” not “stain resistance.” Is there a difference?
Thanks again for your great site and great info!
In essence it does the same thing. Different chemicals can be used for both so we ask about both when we contact the companies but in this case it won’t matter which it is for as it will do both…it is there and that is what you should consider.
Hi Jennifer,
I am interested in possibly buying a Baby Jogger… The company assured me that NO PVC and NO chemical flame retardants are used. However, inside the Baby Jogger and probably many other strollers (?) is polyurethane foam. Are you concerned about this foam? Thanks!
The foam is typically what I am MOST concerned about as it is treated nearly all the time. Many companies also treat the fabrics so this is an additional concern. You will need to confirm with the company whether they use FR on the foam as well as the fabrics. I received the same response from Baby Jogger so I can only go on their response that they do not use flame retardants at all. If I find out any different this will be included in our Strollers Blog Part 2 that will be posting in a week or so! I hope this helps!
I very much look forward to your Strollers Blog Part 2! Baby Jogger’s customer service reassured me via phone that there are no chemicals/FR in the stroller at all and that the foam is also not treated with FR or chemicals. I’m eager to see if you get the same response I did and what the rating ends up being, possibly based on additional factors. I’m always hopeful but slightly skeptical. Thanks.
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Any info on chemicals on playpens?
Really appreciate it!
I have been working on a blog for pack and play/ travel crib/ playpens! Will be posting in the next few weeks! Thanks for the request!
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For Bobs…
I did some research into PUL (polyurethane laminate) because it is used widely in both cloth diapering and reusable snack and lunch bags. I found that it is supposed to be chemically inert and that it behaves differently than polyurethane foam, which is certainly toxic. Of course, they could change their minds tomorrows and say it isn’t inert, but it is the stuff of choice if you cloth diaper so…
How come some companies say they must meet flame retardant requirements by using FRs, yet others say their fabric naturally meets these requirements? What kind of fabric, exactly, are these supposedly FR free brands using?
Great question! And thanks for clarifying about the BOB for our readers!
The answer to you question is…The companies refuse to use more expensive materials that are naturally FR such as wool. Since they will only use poly foam there is no way to have their product meet standards without chemicals…some products (not car seats) use polyester or ploy fill which is considered “naturally flame retardant” because it melts rather than catches fire (clothing, playmats, etc)
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Your info on Cybex may be wrong. I sent them a query and they were very clear that they use flame retardants in their strollers, though they said that the type they used was less toxic than those normally used.
I applaud your efforts to get this information but frankly, unless you are getting written responses that have been cleared by companies’ legal departments with the specific chemicals being used or not use, you are probably not getting the accurate info. For instance Uppababy will send out a chemical sheet listing the chemicals that they use and those that they avoid.
Good luck
Thanks for the comment! This is disappointing to hear! I always make sure I get a minimum of two different responses from two different people to make sure they are the same before posting any information. I actually spoke to one of the head people at the company for this information for Cybex so it is more concerning. I will check into this and change according if needed ASAP. Thanks for being so diligent!
what do you think about maclaren xt? which ratings do they get?
I’m confused about Graco strollers. Why are they labeled as orange if they don’t contain flame retardants?
Great question. Thanks for it!
I also take into account whether they answer all of my questions. If they don’t I don’t rank them as a green. I don’t support companies that are not transparent about chemicals in their products. I also ask them about other chemicals such as phthalates etc and heavy metals and these weigh in on the results.
I was inspecting the tube of my B.O.B stroller and found out the tube contains lead; it’s printed on the tube, low levels of lead. I was very disappointed; why do companies have to use any toxic materials at all? what compels them to expose somebody to these elements. I wish I could find a company that really cares about people, and the environment too. I just discover this site; so, I don’t know much about you, but if you are challenging these companies to be right with the people they serve, I’m with you.
First of all thanks! I strive to educate consumers so that companies will be forced to make safer products! Our children deserve it! As far as lead, this is tricky as it is found naturally so many companies are reluctant to call anything “lead free”. BOB is a better stroller as far as toxicity than some but not others. Washing hands is the best way to protect from many heavy metals and chemicals (after avoiding toxic products of course!)
I am a little concerned. I did quite a bit of research and ended up buying Peg Perego Primo Viaggio toddler car seat. I am alarmed that your webiste states they use toxic flame retardants. When I called them, they said all of thier products are certified by Oeko Tex to be free of harmful substances. Was I mislead?
Hi and thanks for the question! My information is accurate. While some of their FABRICS are Oeko-Tek certified, not all are…and no foams are….this is a common way they confuse consumers. The flame retardants are in the fabrics AND foams. As the foams break down (and they do) they create a dust that your child will be exposed to by breathing and through the skin
From Peg Perego 5/23/ 2023
The flame retardant coating that is used in our car seat fabrics is base on poliurethanic aliphatic phosfonate in a water based solution (i.e.; no solvents are released in the atmosphere during the process). It is also alogen free and heavy metal free.
Some of the fabric manufactures we use are Oeko-Tek Certified, however not all of them are. We have a certificate, however again it does not apply to all of the fabrics.
The flame retardant would apply to the upholstery and foam. The Oeko-Tek certification is only for the upholstery.
Thank you
Amy
CS Clerk
Peg Perego USA