What toxic chemicals are found in baby and children's clothing?

Baby and children's clothing can contain a range of harmful chemicals including formaldehyde-based wrinkle-free finishes, azo dyes that release carcinogenic amines, heavy metals like lead and cadmium in prints and fasteners, flame retardants, and PFAS-based stain-resistant coatings. Fast fashion brands have been repeatedly flagged for unsafe chemical levels in kids' clothing, with investigative testing by CBC finding a Shein toddler jacket containing 20 times the safe level of lead.

Children are more vulnerable to chemical exposure than adults for several reasons. Their skin is thinner and more permeable, meaning chemicals transfer more easily into their bodies. They have a higher skin-to-body-weight ratio, so the same amount of chemical represents a larger dose. And young children engage in hand-to-mouth behavior, meaning chemicals on clothing can also be ingested.

Choosing GOTS-certified organic cotton or OEKO-TEX Standard 100-certified clothing for children provides third-party assurance that harmful chemicals have been tested for and excluded. ONDU recommends brands with transparent supply chains and recognized certifications for all clothing that touches your child's skin.