Source: www.textilefabric.com


The Flammable Fabrics Act was passed by Congress in 1953 dueto several apparel-fire related deaths. The law forbids the marketing ofdangerously flammable material, including all wearing apparel, regardless offiber content or construction method. This law was amended in 1972 to includea more rigid test method for fabrics used for childrens sleepwear in sizes0-6X. Another amendment was added in 1975 that increased the sizes ofchildrens sleepwear to include sizes 7-14. Fabrics used for childrenssleepwear must meet the testing standards after 50 wash cycles.


Controversy over the guidelines concerning childrenssleepwear has existed since 1976. One major issue was the use of a flameretardant chemical that was suspected of causing cancer. These retardants couldbe absorbed through the skin or orally ingested by infants. Scientistsestimated that even if the sleepwear were prewashed three times the cancer riskwould still be about 2,000 cancers per million children per year. The ConsumerProduct Safety Commission (CPSC) took action regarding this potential hazardand in 1977 most manufacturers who used the hazardous chemical switched toalternative methods of flame retardants. Other retailers and manufacturersattached warning labels to the garments.


A more recent issue that has caused concern among parents isthe 1996 ruling by the Consumer Product Safety Commission to allow snug ortight fitting cotton garments for infants (0-9 months) and to be sold assleepwear even if the garments are not fire retardant. One of CPSCs reasonsfor this amendment was that infants that fall into this garment size categoryare not as mobile as older infants and children. This ruling has caused and isstill causing much debate regarding the issue. Adults who were badly burned asan infant have spoken out against it.


Regardless of the rulings by the CPSC, the following generalrules of caution can be applied to prevent and minimize injury to infants,children and also adults:


Read the labels of garments before purchasing them. Manyretailers may display flame resistant and non-flame resistant sleepwear next toeach other. Unless there is a label stating that the garment is flame resistant,the garment should be considered not safe for childrens sleepwear.


Watch for recalls on childrens and adult garments that donot meet flammability standards. The Limited Too recently voluntarily recalleda childrens satin sleepwear set because it did not meet the flammabilitystandards for childrens sleepwear. Many manufacturers and retailersvoluntarily recall their product when they discover that it fails to meetflammability standards. For more information on recalls check www.cpsc.gov/ andwww.familyeducation.com on the Internet.


Avoid substituting loose fitting garments such as T-shirtsfor correct sleepwear.


Fabric stores sell flame retardant fabrics for children'sclothing. Look for the label on the bolt when purchasing fabric to makegarments and sleepwear.


Remember that fabrics with a loose or fluffy pile willignite faster than fabrics with a close tight weave.


Sources


Kadolph, Anna L. Langford, Textiles/...{et al}(8th ed.Prentice-Hall, Inc. Simon & Schuster/A Viacom Company)Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, 07458,pp. 362-364.


About the Author:

 

The author is the Vice President of Textile FabricConsultants, Inc.


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