VOCs (volatile organic compounds) – VOCs are gases emitted from certain solids or liquids, including paints, lacquer and finishes used on cribs.In general, these are the chemicals that should be avoided: There are currently over 80,000 unregulated industrial chemicals on the market in the US and the regulations that are in place are considered too lenient by many experts. However, the government is doing very little to regulate toxins in furniture, especially volatile organic compounds ( VOCs).

Most cribs on the market are structurally safe due to government regulations. Seems simple enough, right? Unfortunately, this criteria is harder to find than you’d think. Some companies/brands do not feel that paying for this certification is necessary because they know their vendors are complying with the strictest standards.) (Note: This doesn’t always guarantee it’s the greenest choice.

GREENGUARD Gold certified, which ensures it meets some of the world’s most rigorous and comprehensive standards for low emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to improve indoor air quality.

Imported cribs, especially those manufactured in Asia (i.e., China, Vietnam, etc.) are not subject to regular third-party oversight or government regulation, so they may not be up to our health and safety standards. The description should explicitly state this. Food grade oil, such as linseed, beeswax or tung oil, is the best option for finishes.

Finished or painted with a non-toxic, VOC-free substance (or better yet, get one that’s unfinished).

Made of sustainable solid wood (not engineered/composite wood – including particleboard, plywood, fiberboard and medium density fiberboard, all which typically contain added formaldehyde.) The wood should be Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified to ensure it comes from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social and economic benefits.

These learnings are what inspired me to make a carefully-researched decision about our crib purchase since our baby will be spending most of his time in it during his first few years.įirst, let’s talk about what to look for in a crib. Studies have shown that toxins found in baby products can cause hormone disruption, lowered IQ, reduced fertility, immune dysfunction, cancer and more. Since infants are especially vulnerable to toxins, this news is quite concerning.

Sadly, most cribs on the market contain toxic materials. You try on a few different styles and colors, check what materials are used, consider the price and make a decision.

I naively thought that buying a crib would be as easy as finding a new sweater.

Barn board wood crib