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SALT LAKE CITY — We strap children into car seats to keep them safe on the road, but a new report finds some of those seats contain chemicals that could be hazardous to their health.
Environmental group Ecology Center tested more than 150 children's car seats, all 2011 models. Researchers found 60 percent of those seats contained "chemicals of concern" like arsenic and lead.
Previous studies have linked those chemicals to reproductive problems, developmental disabilities and cancer.
Still, the study also found overall, things have gotten better in terms of toxicity levels since the group first started testing in 2008. Fewer car seats have hazardous chemicals.
The study's authors say regardless of chemicals, a car seat is necessary to keep kids safe in an accident.
A list of the best and worst car seats tested is as follows:
Best 2011 car seats:
- Infant Seat: Chicco KeyFit 30 in Limonata, Graco Snugride 35 in Laguna Bay & Combi Shuttle 33 in Cranberry Noche
- Convertible Carseat: Graco Comfort Sport in Caleo, Graco MyRide 65 in Chandler and Streamer, Safety 1st OnSide Air in Clearwater, and Graco Nautilus Elite 3-in-1 in Gabe
- Booster Seat: Graco Turbo Booster in Anders
Worst 2011 car seats:
- Infant Seat: Graco Snugride 35 in Edgemont Red/Black & Graco SnugRide 30 in Asprey
- Convertible Seat: Britax Marathon 70 in Jet Set & Britax Marathon in Platinum
- Booster Seat: Recaro Pro Booster in Blue Opal & Recaro ProSPORT Toddler in Misty
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