密歇根新闻广播 测试表明接近70%的汽车坐垫含有有毒阻燃剂

 

The Ecology Center in Ann Arbor¹ has just come out with its 5th report on toxic² chemicals in car seats. The nonprofit group analyzes³ car seats for the presence of heavy metals and flame retardants. Flame retardant chemicals can migrate out of products like car seats and build up in dust, and then they can get into our bodies.

Gillian Miller⁴, staff scientist with the Ecology Center, says the center analyzed⁵ the chemical makeup⁶ of 12 different brands of car seats.

"We found 10 different flame retardants among the various seats in different components⁷. We found a few brominated and chlorinated flame retardants which are of particular concern; we call those 'halogenated' as a class," she says.

She says these two categories of chemicals are highly toxic and very persistent⁸ in the environment.

"Those are a concern just as a chemical class, and then we found four different halogen-free - so, no bromine or chlorine - chemicals that we call 'phosphate-based' as a short term."

Those are newer chemicals, and she notes that car seat companies have intentionally⁹ been moving to the phosphates and away from halogenated flame retardants.

"We've been in communication with some of companies who are trying to eliminate halogens, but the phosphate-based chemicals, in many cases, have not been studied especially thoroughly," says Miller. "We're not quite sure what the health effects might be. Some of them might be less persistent in the environment; on the other hand, some of the phosphates have been found in Arctic air, so we know they are traveling long distances. "

She says these chemicals are also being found in people, when researchers do bio-monitoring - testing people's bodies for chemicals.

Miller notes they did not test concentrations of these chemicals in the car seats - they just tested for the presence of the chemicals.

"That would be a great research question that would require more time and expense. We are asking companies, as one of our recommendations, if you can't eliminate a chemical, then use as little of it as you possibly can."

Miller emphasizes that car seats are crucial for the safety of your child, and it's essential that you use them.

"They're successful in terms of crash safety and that's incredibly important. So we don't ever want to scare people off."

Here's an excerpt¹⁰ from the report:

Nearly three-quarters (73%) of seats tested contained hazardous¹¹ halogenated flame retardants and over half contained non-halogenated organophosphate flame retardants, some of which are hazardous as well. The study finds the hazardous flame retardant chemicals and alternatives used by companies are poorly regulated, putting consumers at risk, and questions the fire safety benefit of using these chemicals. Top rated companies in the study, Britax and Clek, have been aggressively implementing¹² policies to reduce hazards in their products while still meeting all safety standards. The poorest performing company was Graco.

The Ecology Center identified three car seats made by Graco, Baby Trend and Orbit Baby as highest on their list of concern. We've reached out to those car seat manufacturers for comment and we'll let you know if we hear back.

How can parents make an informed decision?

The Ecology Center has published a consumer guide to help parents and child caregivers. Miller notes they were only able to test 15 car seat models.

"We encourage people to first check a company's website to see if they have a publicly disclosed policy around chemicals. " she says. Miller says if you can't find a chemical policy on the company's website, it's a good idea to call the company and ask them.

Keep your car clean

Lastly, Miller says that making a habit of vacuuming your car and car seat will reduce exposure to flame retardants. The flame retardant chemicals that migrate out of car seats tend to stick to dust. Then, kids can get the dust on their hands and ingest the chemicals when they put their hands in their mouths.

"Keeping it clean will reduce the contaminated dust, which is a big source of exposure for kids and adults," she says.

1 arbor   

n.凉亭；树木

参考例句：

• They sat in the arbor and chatted over tea.他们坐在凉亭里，边喝茶边聊天。
• You may have heard of Arbor Day at school.你可能在学校里听过植树节。

2 toxic   

adj.有毒的，因中毒引起的

参考例句：

• The factory had accidentally released a quantity of toxic waste into the sea.这家工厂意外泄漏大量有毒废物到海中。
• There is a risk that toxic chemicals might be blasted into the atmosphere.爆炸后有毒化学物质可能会进入大气层。

3 analyzes   

v.分析( analyze的第三人称单数 )；分解；解释；对…进行心理分析

参考例句：

• This approach analyzes management by studying experience usually through cases. 这个学派通常从实例获得经验，用以分析管理。 来自辞典例句
• The econometrician analyzes statistical data. 经济计量学者要分析统计材料。 来自辞典例句

4 miller   

n.磨坊主

参考例句：

• Every miller draws water to his own mill.磨坊主都往自己磨里注水。
• The skilful miller killed millions of lions with his ski.技术娴熟的磨坊主用雪橇杀死了上百万头狮子。

5 analyzed   

v.分析( analyze的过去式和过去分词 )；分解；解释；对…进行心理分析

参考例句：

• The doctors analyzed the blood sample for anemia. 医生们分析了贫血的血样。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The young man did not analyze the process of his captivation and enrapturement, for love to him was a mystery and could not be analyzed. 这年轻人没有分析自己蛊惑著迷的过程，因为对他来说，爱是个不可分析的迷。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 makeup   

n.组织；性格；化装品

参考例句：

• Those who failed the exam take a makeup exam.这次考试不及格的人必须参加补考。
• Do you think her beauty could makeup for her stupidity?你认为她的美丽能弥补她的愚蠢吗？

7 components   

（机器、设备等的）构成要素，零件，成分； 成分( component的名词复数 )； [物理化学]组分； [数学]分量； （混合物的）组成部分

参考例句：

• the components of a machine 机器部件
• Our chemistry teacher often reduces a compound to its components in lab. 在实验室中化学老师常把化合物分解为各种成分。

8 persistent   

adj.坚持不懈的，执意的；持续的

参考例句：

• Albert had a persistent headache that lasted for three days.艾伯特连续头痛了三天。
• She felt embarrassed by his persistent attentions.他不时地向她大献殷勤，使她很难为情。

9 intentionally   

ad.故意地，有意地

参考例句：

• I didn't say it intentionally. 我是无心说的。
• The local authority ruled that he had made himself intentionally homeless and was therefore not entitled to be rehoused. 当地政府裁定他是有意居无定所，因此没有资格再获得提供住房。

10 excerpt   

n.摘录，选录，节录

参考例句：

• This is an excerpt from a novel.这是一部小说的摘录。
• Can you excerpt something from the newspaper? 你能从报纸上选录些东西吗？

11 hazardous   

adj.(有)危险的，冒险的；碰运气的

参考例句：

• These conditions are very hazardous for shipping.这些情况对航海非常不利。
• Everybody said that it was a hazardous investment.大家都说那是一次危险的投资。

12 implementing   

v.实现( implement的现在分词 )；执行；贯彻；使生效

参考例句：

• -- Implementing a comprehensive drug control strategy. ――实行综合治理的禁毒战略。 来自汉英非文学 - 白皮书
• He was in no hurry about implementing his unshakable principle. 他并不急于实行他那不可动摇的原则。 来自辞典例句