I have to admit that keeping up with the ever changing recalls and bans on baby products can be taxing.  First this week, we learned that drop-side cribs will soon be banned in the United States and now, thanks to one of our very informed customers, we learn that Belgium has decided to ban foam playmats. I guarantee right now that there are plenty of parents that have play mats wrapped up under the tree.  So what is a parent to do?  First of all, we need to look at the reasoning behind Belgium's ban on Playmats.  Formamides are used to soften the foam in mats.    The Material Safety Data Sheet on Formamide is not exactly what I would call pleasant to read.  This solvent can stay in the product after manufacturing and can be absorbed through breathing or through the skin. When we looked at bringing in a playmat to offer to our customers, we found that the Skip Hop playmat was one of the best.  Skip Hop is very concerned about product safety and they posted this message on their facebook page in response to a customer's concern: "We do not use formamide in the Playspot, although it can be a byproduct of the EVA manufacturing process (which also includes as you say such items as flip flops and many bath toys). That said, due to these concerns, we have tested the Pl...ayspot using ISO16000 standards for formamide.. We are pleased that our Playspots received the lowest possible score, testing at <2ug/m3 (less than 2 millionths of a gram per cubic meter) for formamde, which is the lowest measurable result possible with today's testing equipment; there is no lower score. We do not use it, and our tests show that - within the limits of test - it is not measurable. Therefore, the Playspot is a very safe EVA floor mat option for for children and you should feel confident that we have specifically tested for this issue." If you have purchased a playmat or you are considering buying one, I would definitely contact the manufacturer to find out if they use formamide in the production and if they test for the byproduct after the manufacturing process.  A safe, soft play area is important but it definitely makes me take pause as to whether a soft surface in the form of a foam playmat is the best choice for my family.  Are Europeans just that more cautious than us?  As parents, we have to do our research.  It is easy to pretend that things do not exist that we can't see, feel or smell.  However, when other countries are banning a product, it should make us take a second look, do some more research and determine whether the benefits outweigh the risks.

Comments on Belgium Bans Foam Playmats

DPT	27-12-2010 18:38:47 Without using DPT softer, can do they make EVA foam? The DPT contains Formamide. What kind of Plastisizer can be used and boding glue for big size mat? Unblievable...

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