Results of analysis of baby bedding
Compounds of
the elements phosphorus, arsenic and antimony are very
frequently present in bedding. In some instances they
are added as part of the manufacturing process (e.g. for
fire retardant or plasticising purposes). In other
instances they occur naturally (e.g. in sheepskins,
kapok and tree bark).
Action of household fungi on these compounds can produce
extremely toxic nerve gases. These are, respectively,
phosphines from compounds of phosphorus; arsines from
compounds of arsenic; and stibines from compounds of
antimony. These gases shut down the central nervous
system, resulting in cessation of heart and breathing
function, thereby causing cot death.
A wide selection of items of baby bedding acquired in
New Zealand (comprising new bedding, used bedding, and
bedding on which cot deaths had occurred) was analysed
for the presence of phosphorus, arsenic and antimony by
Rooney Laboratories Ltd, Basingstoke, England.
Analysis showed that all three elements were present,
phosphorus being especially prevalent. Sheepskins were
shown to contain all three elements. (For more
information regarding sheepskins, click on the sidebar
heading Sheepskins.) |
|
Mfr |
New products
|
phosphorus |
arsenic |
antimony |
|
| A |
Waterproof
wool mattress cover |
+++ |
- |
- |
| A |
Bassinet
mattress (polyester inner) |
++ |
- |
+++ |
| A |
Bassinet
mattress (foam inner) |
- |
- |
- |
| B |
Imported
PVC cot sheet |
+++ |
- |
- |
| C |
PVC-lined
cotton mattress protector |
++ |
- |
- |
| D |
Acrylic
underblanket |
+ |
- |
- |
| E |
Sheepskin
baby rug |
+++++ |
+ |
++ |
| F |
Lambskin
rug |
+++++ |
+ |
+++ |
| G |
Ti-tree
bark bassinet mattress |
+++ |
- |
- |
| H |
Innersprung
cot mattress |
++ |
- |
- |
| I |
Ventilated
cot mattress |
++ |
- |
++++ |
| J |
Kapok |
++++ |
- |
- |
| K |
Innersprung
cot mattress |
++++ |
- |
++++ |
| L |
Imported
innersprung mattress |
+++ |
- |
+ |
|
|
No. |
Used products
|
phosphorus |
arsenic |
antimony |
|
| 1 |
Sheepskin
baby rug |
+++++ |
+ |
+++ |
| 2 |
Bassinet
mattress |
++++ |
- |
- |
| 3 |
Innersprung
mattress |
+++++ |
- |
- |
| 4 |
Foam
mattress |
++++ |
- |
- |
| 5 |
Foam
mattress |
+++++ |
- |
- |
| 6 |
Innersprung
mattress |
+++++ |
- |
+ |
| 7 |
Coconut
fibre |
++++++ |
+ |
- |
| 8 |
Foam
mattress |
++ |
- |
- |
| 9 |
Reconstituted foam mattress |
+++++ |
- |
- |
| 10 |
Innersprung
mattress |
++++ |
- |
+ |
| 11 |
Innersprung
mattress |
++++ |
- |
+ |
| 12 |
Innersprung
mattress |
+++++ |
- |
+++ |
| 13 |
Innersprung
mattress |
++++ |
- |
- |
| 14 |
Innersprung
mattress |
+++ |
- |
- |
| 15 |
Innersprung
mattress |
+++++ |
- |
- |
|
|
No. |
Cot
death baby bedding |
phosphorus |
arsenic |
antimony |
|
| CD1 |
Pillow
cover |
++ |
- |
- |
| CD1 |
Pillow
polyester inner |
+ |
- |
+++ |
| CD2 |
Mattress
cover |
+++ |
- |
- |
| CD2 |
Mattress
foam |
++ |
++ |
- |
| CD3 |
Mattress
cover |
+++ |
- |
- |
| CD3 |
Mattress
foam |
+++ |
+ |
- |
| CD3 |
Sheepskin
rug |
++++++ |
+ |
++++ |
| CD4 |
Mattress
cover |
+++ |
- |
- |
| CD4 |
Mattress
foam |
- |
- |
- |
| CD5 |
Mattress
foam |
+ |
- |
- |
| CD5 |
Mattress
cover |
+++++ |
- |
- |
| CD5 |
Sheepfleece
underlay |
+++ |
- |
- |
| CD5 |
Sheepskin
rug |
+++++ |
+ |
+++ |
| CD5 |
Wool
blanket |
++ |
- |
- |
|
| - |
= |
not
detected |
(<10mg/kg) |
| + |
= |
10 ~ |
50mg/kg |
| ++ |
= |
51 ~ |
100mg/kg |
| +++ |
= |
101 ~ |
200mg/kg |
| ++++ |
= |
201 ~ |
500mg/kg |
| +++++ |
= |
501 ~ |
1000mg/kg |
| ++++++ |
= |
>
|
1000mg/kg |
|
|
