As if parents don’t have enough to worry about already what with toxic baby bottles and lead in toys, this week it was reported that many common brands of baby shampoo, powder, creams and lotions contain high levels of dangerous pthalates, a chemical used to stabilize fragrance and soften plastic.It’s the same chemical found in many plastic and vinyl baby teethers and bibs, which is why at Kai Kids we only sell organic cotton teething toys and bibs.A study in the February issue of the journal Pediatrics revealed high concentrations of these hormone-disrupting chemicals in the urine of the babies studied between 2000 and 2005. All had detectable amounts of at least one type of phthalate, and more than 80% had seven or more types. The babies in the study had more than four times the amount in their urine than babies whose parents did not use the products.More than half the mothers in the study reported using baby shampoos on their infants within 24 hours of the urine tests, and about one-third had used lotion, and 14% used baby powder.The more the mothers used the various products, the higher the levels found in their babies’ urine, leading researchers to suspect that the skin absorbs and transfers the chemicals into babies’ bodies. The highest levels were found in babies under eight months old.Exposure to pthalates could reduce testosterone and alter reproductive organs. Very scary. And Canadian and U.S. manufacturers aren’t currently required to list pthalate contents on their packaging!When you are shopping, look for products labeled “phthalate-free,” or check labels for common phthalates, including DEP and DEHP. I recommend Earth-Friendly Baby, a natural, organic, chemical-free baby skincare line from Australia that we recently started to carry at Kai Kids. No pthalates and a label that lists all of the ingredients!When we had Kai three years ago, I had read about pthalates and tried to find natural babycareproducts that didn’t contain them. But it was only recently that I weaned myself off of lotions and my favourite perfume, which are both full of the toxic chemical. But happily, it’s now easy to find safe, nice-smelling alternatives for the whole family.-N