Safe Humidifiers for Children

by on December 26, 2009 in Ask TSL, Personal Care Products, Shopping Guides, Toys & Misc

We’ve been keeping our eyes open for a warm mist humidifier made without polycarbonate plastic for quite a while and we kept coming back empty-handed.   Safe Mama reported in early 2009 that her search had been unsuccessful too.

Last week our kids passed around a heavy duty cold, so I dug out our old standby Vicks humidifier.  I decided to check out the type of plastic used just in case it was made with safer plastic by some off chance.  I was surprised to find the recycling code #2 (HDPE) on the white base  and #5 (polypropylene) on the blue outer and black inner pieces.  All this time I had a great option sitting in my linen closet and didn’t even know it!

You can find the Vicks Warm Steam Humidifier at Drugstore.com for about $16.00.   There appears to be several other brands with options like Vicks, so we’ll be checking into them and publishing a full list of BPA-free humidifiers soon.

UPDATE 1/20/10:  If you’re looking for a cool mist humidifier, we just confirmed that all Crane  humidifiers are BPA, PVC and phthalate-free.

The GermGuardian H3010 Digital Ultrasonic Humidifier is BPA, PVC and phthalate-free (all humidifiers have a PVC wrapped cord).

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  • greenandcleanmom

    When both of my kids had the H1N1 (or so they say) and myself and daughter ended up with upper resp. infections the doc. suggested using a cool mist. I like the cute froggy one and might have to give it a whirl. Who would have known you had a safe solution in your closet! Good to know! Hope everyone is feeling better.

    • Crystal

      I actually have the Crane froggy humidifier and am so happy to know it is BPA-free! I had never even thought about the humidifier as being a source of BPA exposure! Yikes! Anyway, I like it because it doesn’t require a filter, is totally silent and you can dial the amount of moisture you want up and down to fit the needs of your particular room. Our hard water has caused some build up, but it still works well.

  • macten

    I have the green frog for my daughter and it is great. Quieter than the one in my bedroom and you can adjust the level of mist greatly. Glad to know it is BPA free!

  • http://www.ForMyKidsOnline.com/ Christine Stewart

    I'd be interested in what you find out about the AIR-O-SWISS Ultrasonic Humidifier (Model 7135).

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  • Erika

    Ugh! I never thought about the humidifier as an exposure source! We just bought an Air-O-Swiss Ultrasonic, so I’m eager to hear what you learn. Thanks for all your work!

  • JenB

    We had the froggie humidifier with my daughter and it’s great if you don’t have hard water or possibly if you clean it every day. Being sleep deprived, I didn’t keep up with cleaning it after each day it after a month the mineral deposits rendered it useless. I tried cleaning it with vinegar at that point but it was too late, couldn’t get the deposits off enough for it to work again. Great product, just need to keep up with cleaning it if you have hard water.

    • http://thesoftlanding.com Alicia

      Thanks for the info, Jen! I’ve had the same thing happen with my Vicks humidifier too, so it must be pretty common.

  • kristenconn

    Thanks for this post! I've been wondering about this myself as we keep trading colds around our family this past month. Just purchased the cute elephant humidifier you mentioned.

    • http://thesoftlanding.com Alicia

      Excellent! So glad you found the info helpful, Kristen :)

  • http://thesoftlanding.com Alicia

    Isn't it great to find out that something you already own is safe?! It sure was nice for me :)

    • Bdunn7754

      Hi All,

      The Green Frog humidifer has a Prop 65 warning for high lead levels.

      Sad.

      • Dirk

        message from Crane

        Hello All, please note that all Crane humidifiers do not contain lead. The Prop 65 warning was incorrectly displayed and was removed later on. 

        • http://thesoftlanding.com Alicia

          Thanks for taking the time to clarify the issue for our readers!

  • http://thesoftlanding.com Alicia

    Thanks for the quick review of the Crane humidifier, macten! I've had quite a few questions about that since writing this article and didn't have an answer for them (I don't own one myself).

  • http://thesoftlanding.com Alicia

    I added it to our list to investigate. Thanks for the suggestion, Christine!

  • http://thesoftlanding.com Alicia

    I have to admit that finding a BPA/PVC-free humidifier wasn't the highest priority on my list of toxic plastics to avoid. But it sure is nice to know there are safe options out there!

  • boo

    We have a Germ Guardian Digital H-3010. Any idea what it’s made of?

    • http://thesoftlanding.com Alicia

      No, haven’t heard of the Germ Guardian, but would be happy to add it to our list! Thanks so much for the suggestion.

      • http://thesoftlanding.com Alicia

        Hi Boo,

        We just heard back from Germ Guardian and the Digital H-3010 is BPA-free! The housing and water tank are made from ABS, not polycarbonate – so you’re good to go!

        We also found out that the only PVC (and thus phthalates) is in the electrical cord.

  • http://www.ultrasonic-humidifier.net/ Ultrasonic humidifier

    Vicks 1.5 Gallon Vaporizer is the best value for money can buy. It just requires a bit of patience when cleaning it. The more often you clean it, the faster the deposits dissolve.

  • Teresa

    I am also interested because I just purchased the Air-O-Swiss but have not yet set it up.
    I'll wait until I find out more information before I use it. Thanks, Teresa

  • http://www.toddlerinterpreter.com/ Lisa | Baby Signing

    Awesome blog. It's fantastic to see that people are being educated about BPA's and PVC in products that are being retailed to our children. We have been very careful avoiding these products. Having a scientific background it's second nature for me to check out things thoroughly, as do you do here. Keep up the good work.

  • http://thesoftlanding.com Alicia

    Thanks so much, Lisa! It's really great to meet you and I'll look forward to connecting with you again.

    BTW, love your website – my nephews have learned how to sign, and it's just amazing to see them communicate without even being able to speak!

  • sara

    I contacted Air-O-Swiss and they told me that all of their humidifers have always been bpa and pvc free!! They make a great product with warm air option, filter and ionic stick to keep the water clean

  • http://condo-blues.blogspot.com/ Condo Blues

    I just bought an Idylis BPA free humidifier. It doesn't say if it's PVC free though. I knew to look for a BPA free model because of this post. Thanks Alicia!

    • southsidegrll

      I’m curious if the water tank itself is BPA-free on the Idylis. Based on the marketing materials, I understand that the WATER PITCHER used to transfer water from sink to unit is BPA-free, but it the TANK BPA-free, as well?

  • http://www.75gallonaquarium.net/ 75 Gallon Aquarium

    My son loke a green frog. Thanks for recommend.

  • Mme101874

    I just went to bed bath and beyond to get the Crane humidifier and there a is a prop 65 warning on them – “this product will expose you to lead”

    !!!!

  • http://multi-testingmommy.blogspot.com Multi-Testing Mommy

    Hi there, I’m just wondering if you contacted CRANE when finding out about their animal humidifiers? I just got a CRANE humidifier to review and was really bummed to see the plastic #7 sign on the tank! I know that doesn’t necessarily mean BPA.