Independent laboratories analyzed items for Greenpeace, from vinyl mattress pads to vinyl flooring, and found a range of additives, primarily phthalates and organotins, but also lead, cadmium and bisphenol A.

The chemicals found in the products have been shown to cause a variety of adverse health effects. Some phthalates cause liver cancer, kidney damage and reproductive system impairment in animals. Organotins cause reproductive and developmental damage in animals and nervous and respiratory problems in humans. The Greenpeace report demonstrates the cumulative exposure to all vinyl products tested.

Most chemicals remain untested, meaning parents can't be sure whether these products are harmful to their children. "We should not gamble with the health of children" said Mary-Elizabeth Harmon, PhD, Greenpeace Toxics Campaign Scientist. "There are cheap, safer alternative products readily available to consumers."