What are flame retardants?
Flame Retardants (FRs) are chemicals added to some consumer goods to meet regulatory standards for a product’s ability to resist catching on fire. However, mounting evidence demonstrates that many of these chemicals are not effective at preventing fires. Furthermore, recent studies suggest that human health risks associated with FRs may outweigh their benefits.
Where are flame retardants found?
Products commonly treated with flame retardants include:
- Upholstered Furniture
- Mattresses
- Carpet padding
- Baby products (e.g. car seats, changing pads, crib mattresses)
- Electronics
- Building materials (e.g. insulation, wiring)
How are we exposed to flame retardants?
FRs are released from everyday items and can accumulate in house dust. Damaged or torn upholstery that exposes polyurethane foam can increase the release of FR chemicals into the home. FRs can also be released into air, soil, and water during manufacturing and disposal. Many FRs persist in the environment and accumulate in fatty tissues, which means they stay in the body for years. Livestock may be exposed to FRs in the environment making animal products a source of exposure. Even though some FRs have been phased out due to their impacts on human health and the environment, they continue to be found in the bodies of both children and adults.
What are the health risks of exposure to FRs?
Animal studies of exposure during the early life period suggest adverse effects on the developing brain and reproductive systems. Human studies are limited, but emerging evidence suggests that children exposed to flame retardants in utero or through breast milk may have increased risk of cognitive and behavioral problems. Some flame retardants are also suspected to cause cancer.
Who is most at risk from exposures?
- Children are at highest risk for exposure due to their proximity to the ground where dust settles and their hand-to-mouth behaviors. Infants in homes with a greater number of certain infant products (e.g. infant swings, nursery gliders, bouncer seats, changing pads etc.) have higher levels of some flame retardant chemicals in their bodies.
- Fetuses: Flame retardant chemicals have been shown to cross the placenta, and exposures during pregnancy are associated with hormonal, reproductive, cognitive, and behavioral changes in offspring in animal and human studies.
- Firefighters are at particular risk to exposures by inhalation as many building supplies and furnishings are treated with flame retardants which are released in the form of toxic smoke when they burn.
What can I do to reduce exposure to flame retardant chemicals?
- Reduce dust by wet dusting, wet mopping and vacuuming with a HEPA filter vacuum.
- Wash hands frequently, especially before eating.
- Ventilate indoor spaces.
- Choose fibers that are naturally flame resistant such as wool.
- If you purchase upholstered furniture or other products that contain polyurethane foam, look for the TB117-2013 label. These items no longer require flame retardant treatment of foam to fulfill regulatory standards. Avoid products with a TB117 label.
- Ask manufacturers and retailers if their products are flame retardant-free. Ask for it in writing.
- Replace, repair, or cover furniture with exposed foam.
- Support legislation at the local, state, and federal level to eliminate the use of toxic flame retardants.
Additional Resources
- Interview with Sarah Evans, PhD, MPH, “Common Household Chemicals Tied to Brain Cell Damage” Medscape, March 24, 2024.
- Table: Common flame retardant chemicals
| Chemical | Chemical Class | Where is it found? | What’s the problem? |
|---|---|---|---|
| PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers) | Halogenated (bromine) | Banned because of toxic health effects. Still found in products made before 2005. In some kitchen items made from plastics from recycled electronics. | Similar in chemical structure to cancer-causing PCBs and dioxins, PBDEs are persistent in the environment and bioaccumulative (accumulate in human tissue). Associated with hormonal, reproductive, cognitive, and behavioral changes. |
| TDCPP (tris(1,3 dichloropropyl) phosphate and TCPP (tris (chloropropyl) phosphate); also known as chlorinated tris | Chlorinated organophosphate | Replaced PBDEs in most products. Found in polyurethane foam in furniture and baby products. Currently the most common flame retardant chemical. | Closely related to TDBCPP, another flame retardant that was banned in children’s clothing in 1977 due to its potential to cause cancer. Causes tumors in lab animals and classified by the state of California as a known cancer causing agent. May interfere with hormones in the body. |
| TBBPA (tetrabromobishphenol A) | Halogenated (bromine) | PBDE replacement found in electronics and other products. | Laboratory studies suggest that TBBPA may interfere with the immune system. May interfere with hormones in the body. |
| TPHP (triphenyl phosphate) | Organophosphate | PBDE replacement found in polyurethane foam in furniture and baby products. | May interfere with hormones in the body. |
| Firemaster 550 | A mixture that includes halogenated (bromine) and organophosphate chemicals | Replaced PBDE. Found in polyurethane foam in furniture and baby products. Currently the second most common flame retardant chemical. | May interfere with hormones in the body. Causes obesity, early puberty, and behavioral changes in laboratory animals. Studies on human safety are non-existent. |