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The Dangers of Flame Retardants in Car Seats
Flame retardants have been added to car seats for decades to prevent them from catching fire in the event of an accident. However, these chemicals have been linked to a range of health problems, including the following:
- Hormone disruption: Flame retardants contain chemicals known as brominated and chlorinated flame retardants, which can actually mimic hormones in the body. This can interfere with the body’s endocrine (hormonal) system, leading to issues such as early puberty, infertility, and thyroid problems.
- Cancer: Many flame retardants are also carcinogenic, and they can cause cancer in humans. Exposure to these chemicals has been linked to several types of cancer, including breast cancer, thyroid cancer, and lymphoma.
- Developmental issues: Children are super vulnerable to the harmful effects of flame retardants. Exposure to these chemicals has been linked to developmental issues, such as delays in motor skills, cognitive function and behavioral problems.
- IQ reduction: Studies have also shown that exposure to flame retardants during pregnancy can lead to a decrease in children’s IQs, as well as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other behavioral issues.
Other Toxins to Avoid in Car Seats
There are other ingredients that can be concerning in car seats and other baby products besides flame retardants. Here are a few of them:
- PFAS: these harmful chemicals, short for per- and polyfluorinated substances, can be found in car seats, usually in their water and stain-resistant properties. They pose a concern because they’ve been linked to adverse health effects including cancer, reproductive and developmental problems.
- Phthalates: These chemicals are often added to plastic products to make them more flexible. However, phthalates have been linked to hormone disruption, developmental issues, and reproductive problems.
- Bisphenol A (BPA): This chemical is commonly found in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins, which are used in a variety of products, including car seat shells. BPA has been linked to hormone disruption, developmental issues, and cancer.
- Polyurethane foam: Many car seats are made with polyurethane foam, which can emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can cause respiratory problems and other health issues.
- Formaldehyde: This chemical is used in some adhesives and resins that are used in car seat construction. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen that can cause respiratory issues along with other health problems.
- Heavy metals: Some car seats may contain heavy metals, including lead, cadmium, and mercury, which can trigger developmental issues in growing children.
By choosing a non-toxic baby car seat made without these harmful chemicals and materials, we can significantly reduce our children’s exposure to these risks and help ensure that they stay healthy and safe.
Wait … Don’t Car Seats Need Flame Retardants to be Safe?
In short, no. Flame retardants are added to car seats to meet federal flammability standards, but there are other methods that allow car seats to meet these flammability standards without the use of flame retardants.
For example, some car seat manufacturers use naturally flame-resistant materials such as wool, or they can opt for using other cloths made with a tighter weave. They can even modify the construction of the car seat itself to make it less likely to catch on fire.
Best Non-Toxic Infant Car Seats without Flame Retardants
The six car seat manufacturers that are currently making their seats without flame retardants and PFAS in both their covers and inner seat materials include:
- Chicco’s ClearTex line
- Clek’s “Railroad” fabric car seats
- Maxi-Cosi’s PureCosi line
- Uppababy Mesa’s V2 seats
- Britax’s SafeWash seats
- Nuna Pipa seats manufactured from 2020 on
A note on Britax car seats: the Ecology Center Car Seat Report in 2022 found phosphorus-based flame retardants present in minor components (i.e. the labels) of the Britax Allegiance seat, but the other car seats it tested did not have any flame retardants.
It’s important to note that while these car seats are marketed as non-toxic, it’s always a good idea to research the materials and safety features of any car seat yourself before purchasing it to ensure it meets your own standards and preferences.
Here are the best flame retardant free, non-toxic baby car seats you can find today, in order of price.
1. Maxi-Cosi Mico Luxe Infant Seat ($199)
Maxi Cosi makes some of the best non-toxic car seats without flame retardants, and they’ve done so for several years. This infant car seat from Maxi Cosi is made with breathable, machine-washable fabrics that are entirely free of flame retardants and PFAS. It includes an adjustable headrest and a 5-point harness for a secure fit, as well as an extra-large canopy to protect your baby from the sun.
2. Chicco KeyFit 30 ClearTex Infant Car Seat ($209) and Chicco KeyFit 35 ClearTex Infant Car Seat ($229)
The KeyFit 30 features Chicco’s ClearTex fabric cover which is free of harsh chemicals, including flame retardants, and is easy to clean. It also includes a removable newborn insert, a 5-point harness, and an adjustable canopy with a zip-out mesh panel for added ventilation.
Similar to the KeyFit 30, this non-toxic car seat includes a removable newborn insert, a 5-point harness, and an adjustable canopy with a zip-out mesh panel. However, it’s designed to accommodate larger infants and can hold up to 35 pounds.
It’s extra reassuring that Chicco’s ClearTex seats are GreenGuard Gold certified for low emissions for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including formaldehyde, and are also totally free of PFAS. Chicco seats are also some of the easiest to install on your car’s LATCH connectors.
3. Britax Willow S ($199)
The current generation of Britax’s infant car seats, as of this year, are now flame retardant free (Britax is clearly listening to parents’ concerns about the use of these chemicals!). Their Willow S infant car seat is designed with a generously sized seating area and a smooth-touch knit fabric that’s naturally flame retardant without the need for adding flame retardant chemicals.
This infant car seat is built with safety in mind, featuring a sturdy construction with a high-strength steel reinforced base and SafeCell crumple zone, and a protective shell with foam that provides head-to-toe safety. The car seat’s ClickTight system makes it nice and easy to install in your car.
If you’re looking for a more wallet friendly flame-retardant free car seat without PFAS, and especially if you’re planning on buying a Britax stroller, then Britax infant seats are the way to go. This car seat is compatible with Britax’s Brook and Brook+ strollers for convenient cruising around town.
You can also still pick up a travel system with the highly rated Britax B-Lively stroller and the B-Safe Gen2 Safewash seat (their prior generation of flame retardant free car seat) for $429, which is a pretty good deal considering the quality of Britax’s products.
4. Clek Liingo Baseless Infant Car Seat ($299)
The Clek Liingo has LATCH connectors built into the car seat carrier, eliminating the need for a car seat base. Weighing 9 lbs, it’s compatible with popular stroller brands and features a one-handed quick release for easy removal from the stroller.
It includes a newborn body support system for added safety, an adjustable canopy with SPF 100+ sun protection and a mesh peekaboo window for enhanced airflow and visibility.
Made in Ontario, Canada, this non-toxic baby car seat comes in a new Railroad fabric that is flame-retardant-free and has a nice soft feel. Should you require a car seat base in the future, you can purchase one separately.
*Clek’s merino wool car seat covers are Oeko-Tex certified to be free of PFAs or other water proofing chemical treatments and GreenGuard Gold certified for low emissions of VOCs.
5. Nuna Pipa Infant Car Seats ($250 and up)
All Nuna Pipa non-toxic car seats manufactured as of 2020 are now fire retardant free, including the Pipa Lite, Pipa Lite LX, and Pipa RX car seats.
*Nuna also doesn’t use PFAs or other waterproofing materials on their car seats. Nuna’s seats are also GreenGuard Gold to guarantee their low chemical emissions.
6. Uppababy MESA V2 Infant Car Seat ($329)
This GreenGuard Gold certified non-toxic car seat from UPPAbaby is made with naturally fire-resistant, soft Merino wool and includes an adjustable headrest and a 5-point harness for a secure fit. It also features a no-rethread harness and a removable infant insert for added comfort and support.
The UPPAbaby infant car seat is compatible with the popular Vista and Cruz strollers.
Please note that UPPAbaby does treat the foam that is underneath its car seat cover with flame retardant chemicals. This shouldn’t be a problem unless your cover starts to wear down or gets a hole in it. If that should happen, you would want to replace it.
Best Convertible Non-Toxic Car Seats without Flame Retardants
These non-toxic convertible car seats made without flame retardants can last longer than infant car seats (though you can’t click them into a stroller like you can with infant seats). These should see your baby at least through toddlerhood. Some last even longer as high-backed booster seats for older children.
1. Britax Convertible Car Seats ($229 and up)
Britax has a new line of Poplar convertible car seats for kiddos up to 50 pounds that are made without flame retardants. They also make several other convertible car seats with their flame retardant-free Safewash covers that are also free of PFAS. These include: the Emblem in Slate ($199); the Marathon ($299); the Advocate ($319), the Grow With You ($329), the Boulevard ($369), and the One4Life ($419).
All of these seats will last your baby through toddlerhood and early childhood, and some (like the One4Life) can keep being used past toddlerhood through a whopping age 10 (if your kid still fits in it by then, which is pretty unlikely!).
2. Chicco OneFit ClearTex All-in-One Car Seat ($239)
Chicco makes some of the best non-toxic convertible car seats without flame retardants. This one is made with Chicco’s unique ClearTex fabric that’s free of harsh chemicals, flame retardants, and PFAS, and is also easy to clean.
This car seat can be used as a rear-facing infant seat, forward-facing toddler seat, or booster seat, and includes adjustable headrests and harnesses, as well as 9 recline positions for added comfort. Like all of the ClearTex fabric seats, it is GreenGuard Gold certified for low VOC emissions.
Chicco also offers the Chicco NextFit Max ClearTex Convertible Car Seat ($299), which features a ClearTex fabric cover as well. It includes a 9-position recline system and a SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener for easy installation. It can be used as a rear-facing infant seat or forward-facing toddler seat.
3. Maxi-Cosi Pria Max All-in-One Convertible Car Seat ($255)
This comfy non-toxic convertible car seat from Maxi-Cosi is made with breathable, machine-washable fabrics that are free of flame retardants and PFAS. It includes a 3-position recline system and can be used as a rear-facing infant seat, forward-facing toddler seat, or booster seat.
4. UPPAbaby Knox Convertible Car Seat – Jordan ($349)
This GreenGuard Gold certified non-toxic convertible car seat is made with naturally fire-resistant Merino wool and includes adjustable headrests and harnesses, as well as a no-rethread harness for easy adjustments. It can be used as a rear-facing infant seat or forward-facing toddler seat. All of UPPAbaby’s infant and toddler car seats contain no flame retardants or PFAS.
5. Nuna RAVA Convertible Car Seat ($450)
This car seat is made with naturally flame-resistant fabrics without PFAS and is GreenGuard Gold certified for low chemicals emissions. It includes a no-rethread harness for easy adjustments. It also features a 10-position recline system and can be used as a rear-facing infant seat or forward-facing toddler seat.
Nuna also makes the Nuna EXEC All-In-One Convertible Car Seat ($750 and frequently out of stock), which is made with naturally flame-resistant fabrics and is free of harsh chemicals. It includes a no-rethread harness and adjustable headrests, as well as an adjustable leg rest for added comfort.
It can be used as a rear-facing infant seat, forward-facing toddler seat, or booster seat, and features a 10-position recline system for added comfort. The seat also includes a unique belt-positioning feature that helps ensure a proper fit for your child.
6. Clek Foonf Convertible Car Seat ($470)
This GreenGuard Gold certified car seat is made of merino wool, which is naturally flame resistant and free of PFAS and flame retardant chemicals. This seat includes a rigid-LATCH installation system for added safety.
It can be used as a rear-facing infant seat or forward-facing toddler seat, and includes adjustable headrests and a no-rethread harness.
Best Non-Toxic Booster Car Seats without Flame Retardant Chemicals
Here are some of the best non-toxic booster seats for older toddlers and kids who have outgrown their toddler seats.
1. Chicco KidFit ClearTex Plus High Backed Booster ($98)
This booster seat is made with ClearTex’s GreenGuard Gold certified fabric that’s free of harmful chemicals and PFAS and is easy to clean. It includes a high backrest and adjustable headrest and armrests for added comfort and safety.
The KidFit also features a SuperCinch LATCH attachment and easy-to-use vehicle belt guides for proper installation. It can convert to a backless booster once your child is ready for that next step.
Chicco also makes a backless booster without flame retardants for $49.
2. Nuna Aace Booster Seat ($250)
The Nuna Aace Booster Seat is made with naturally flame-resistant fabrics and includes a no-back booster mode. It features a 3D growth system that adjusts in three different directions to fit your child as they grow, as well as a 9-position headrest and 3-position recline for added comfort.
The Aace also includes a unique side-impact protection system and can be used with a vehicle seat belt or LATCH system. Like their other Nuna car seats, the Aace is also GreenGuard Gold certified for low chemical emissions and is free of PFAS.
3. Britax Grow with You ClickTight Harness-to-Booster ($299)
The 2-in-1 Harness-to-Booster Seat is a versatile car seat that transitions from forward-facing harness mode to belt-positioning booster mode as your child grows from toddler to big kid.
The ClickTight Installation system allows for easy and confident installation, with unobstructed seat belt paths that clear the way and an automatic tensioner that takes care of tightening.
The Safewash flame retardant-free car seat is washer and dryer friendly, making for quick and easy clean-up, without the need for hand washing or waiting for the cover to air-dry.
Note that this booster does not convert to a backless booster seat.
4. Clek Oobr High Back Booster Car Seat with Rigid Latch, Mammoth ($419)
This non-toxic booster seat includes a rigid LATCH installation system and adjustable headrest and recline features for added safety and comfort. The Clek Oobr also features a unique magnesium back frame and side-impact protection system that work together to provide added safety for your child.
The back of the Oobr booster seat is removable for when your kid is ready for a backless booster seat. Clek’s booster seat is also made without PFAS and fire retardants.
Other Considerations Before Buying a New Car Seat
You will also want to think about some other factors before buying a new car seat. Here are some of the most important things to check:
- Safety ratings: Always be sure to check the safety ratings of any car seat before purchasing it. Look for car seats that have been independently tested and certified to meet safety standards set by organizations like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
- Size and weight limits: Check the size and weight limits of the car seat to ensure it’s appropriate for your child’s age, height, and weight. Make sure the seat will fit in your car and that you’ll be able to install it properly.
- Ease of Installation: Check how easy the car seat is to install and adjust. Look for car seats with clear instructions and easy-to-use features, such as the LATCH system or easy-to-adjust harnesses and LATCH connectors.
- Comfort: Look for car seats that have comfy padding and support for your child. For example, if your kiddo still takes naps on long car rides, you may want to keep them in a high-backed booster rather than a booster seat only until they are entirely done with napping.
- Price: Although it certainly seems worth it, keep in mind that non-toxic car seats can be more expensive than traditional car seats, so consider your budget when making a purchase.
- Rear-Facing Time Span: The safest possible position for your baby or toddler is rear facing in their car seat in the back seat of your car. You should consider how long your child will be able to rear-face in the car seat you’re considering, as well as how much room it provides for an older toddler to comfortably stay in the rear-facing position for as long as possible.
What Does GreenGuard Gold Certified Mean?
GreenGuard Gold is a certification program developed by UL Environment, a global safety science company. The program sets strict chemical emissions standards for indoor products and materials, including furniture, building materials, and products like mattresses and kids’ toys.
Products that earn the GreenGuard Gold certification have been thoroughly tested for many different volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are chemicals that can be emitted from products and contribute to worsening your indoor air quality. To meet the GreenGuard Gold standard, products need to emit very low levels of VOCs and meet other requirements for safety and performance.
GreenGuard Gold certification is considered a very high standard for indoor air quality, and is frequently used by manufacturers and consumers to verify the safety and sustainability of a product. When a product’s earned GreenGuard Gold certification, it means it’s been independently tested to meet rigorous standards for low emissions and environmental sustainability.
Buckle Up and Join the Non-Toxic Car Seat Movement
Choosing a car seat without flame retardants is an important move towards protecting your child’s health and safety. By opting for a non-toxic car seat, you can reduce your kiddo’s exposure to these harmful chemicals while giving yourself some peace of mind knowing that you’re doing everything you can to protect their health.
When shopping for a car seat, be sure to look for options made with naturally flame-resistant fabrics that are free of harsh chemicals like PFAS, as well as features like easy installation and adjustability.
It’s also important to look at safety ratings, and to double check before you buy that the car seat you’re considering is truly non-toxic. Car seats that are GREENGUARD GOLD certified are guaranteed to have low emissions of VOCs and other chemicals, and to be safer overall, so you’ll want to keep an eye out for that certification.
Best of luck in your car seat journey! We hope you find a seat you and your baby are happy with, and that you can feel confident is non-toxic and as safe as possible for your little one.
If you’re looking for other eco-friendly baby products, definitely check out our recs for FR-free strollers and our ultimate guide to building an eco-friendly nursery.
You might also like some of our other guides to eco-friendly and non-toxic household products:
