Of 150 popular 2011-model children’s car seats tested for bromine, chlorine, lead, and other heavy metals and allergens, 60 percent were found to contain hazardous chemicals.
The study – released by the consumer-oriented site HealthyStuff.org – found that many widely-used car seats could prove especially harmful to infants since their bodies are in a developmental stage and they tend to be placed in them for the longest periods of time.
Substances found in the seats have been linked to allergies, birth defects, impaired learning, liver toxicity, and cancer in children.
"Car seats save lives. It’s absolutely essential that parents put their children in them while driving," said research director Jeff Gearhart. "However, our research shows that some car seats contain more harmful chemicals than others."
The study finds the most toxic 2011-model car seats include Graco Snugride 35 in Edgemont Red/Black, Britax Marathon 70 in Jet Set and Recaro Pro Booster in Blue Opal. Among the least toxic models are Chicco KeyFit 30 in Limonata, Combi Shuttle 33 in Cranberry Noche, and Safety 1st OnSide Air in Clearwater.
A complete list of the best and worst rated seats according to the study’s findings can be located here.