Chemical fire retardants are common in consumer products. They are added to a wide variety of household items such as furniture, electronics, appliances and even baby products. While one class of fire retardants called PBDEs (for polybrominated diphenyl ethers) has been taken off the market due to toxicity concerns, it has been replaced with compounds such as TDCIPP (also known as “chlorinated tris”) and chemical mixtures such as Firemaster® 550. But this is not a victory, because these alternative chemicals are also linked to toxicity concerns such as cancer and endocrine disruption. Until we get fire retardants out of consumer products, EWG suggests that you avoid contact with these toxic chemicals as best you can. It’s not possible to steer clear of them entirely, but fortunately you now have more fire retardant-free choices! Using these tips you can learn:. Why you should minimize exposures. Which household products contain toxic fire retardants. How you can reduce your family’s exposures.
WHY YOU SHOULD REDUCE YOUR EXPOSURE TO TOXIC FIRE RETARDANTS. Scientists have found that exposure to toxic fire retardant chemicals at critical points in development can damage the reproductive system and cause deficits in motor skills, learning, memory and behavior. Fire retardants in everyday items such as furniture, computers, televisions and other electronics spread through the home and could expose children to amounts that exceed the Environmental Protection Agency’s health risk guidelines. EWG’s tests found much higher levels of both PBDEs and TDCIPP in young children than in their mothers – likely because children frequently put their hands, toys and other objects in their mouths. Fire retardants migrate out of products and can contaminate house dust, which accumulates on the floor where children play. Read our report on TDCIPP in mothers and their toddlers to learn more about children’s exposures. Until toxic fire retardants are taken out of consumer products (including imports) and safer solutions are in place to meet flammability standards, American families – especially children – will continue to be needlessly exposed.
WHICH HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS CONTAIN TOXIC FIRE RETARDANTS. Fire retardants are commonly added to furniture containing polyurethane foam, including couches and upholstered chairs, futons and carpet padding. They also turn up in children’s products such as car seats, changing table pads, portable crib mattresses, nap mats and nursing pillows. Some TVs, remotes, cell phones and other electronics, as well as building materials, also contain chemical retardants, but these sources are much more difficult to avoid. Foam products made before 2005 may be the most hazardous. Older foam items commonly contain PBDEs, highly toxic fire retardants that were taken off the U.S. market. But scientists are finding that newer substitutes such as TDCIPP may be just as harmful, so EWG recommends buying products made without fire retardants whenever possible. YOU CAN REDUCE YOUR FAMILY'S IN-HOME EXPOSURE. Fire retardants are nearly impossible to avoid completely, but if you take these simple precautions you can minimize your exposure:
Do your homework before you buy baby products. Although many baby products have been exempted from fire safety regulations that prompted companies to add chemical retardants, some manufacturers still use them. Find out before you buy and choose products that don’t contain any fire retardants. If you’re buying a new couch, choose one made without fire retardants. New regulations make it much easier for furniture makers to market products that have not been saturated with fire retardants, but there’s no easy way to tell which is which. Contact the manufacturer to ask if its furniture contains these chemicals. Planning to reupholster your couch? Replace the foam, too. If you’re planning to reupholster your couch, consider replacing the old foam. It likely contains fire retardants. Ask your upholstery shop to find retardant-free foam. Inspect foam cushioning for damage. Make sure cushion covers are intact since exposed foam can allow fire retardant chemicals to escape more quickly.
Items such as car seats and mattress pads should always be completely encased in protective fabric. Use a vacuum cleaner fitted with a HEPA filter. These vacuums are more efficient at trapping small particles and will likely remove more contaminants and allergens from your home. High efficiency "HEPA-filter" air cleaners may also reduce contaminants bound to small particles. Be careful removing old carpeting. The padding is typically made of scrap foam that contains fire retardants. Old carpet padding can break down by the time it’s exposed for replacement. Isolate the work area from the rest of your home. A WORD ABOUT PAJAMAS Some parents worry that fire-retardant pajamas will expose their children to these chemicals. To our knowledge, children’s pajamas are not treated with chemical fire retardants. Still, as a precaution, you might want to choose snug-fitting pajamas made from natural fibers that are inherently fire resistant. And, of course, keep kids away from matches, candles and cigarettes.
Sign up to receive tips, updates, actions and more in your inbox!Manufacturers use an estimated 80,000 chemicals in products used around the home today, in everything from softeners in plastics to preservatives in cosmetics to treatments for stain-resistant upholstery. Unfortunately, few of these chemicals have been thoroughly tested, and the long-term health effects of their use are largely unknown. What’s more, a growing body of evidence links chronic diseases such as cancer, asthma, autism and reproductive problems to the chemicals in our homes, food, water and air. Although the situation can seem daunting, several simple precautions can help safeguard your family. Start by reducing your exposure to these three common chemicals.Toxic Chemicals: Flame RetardantsFlame retardants are synthetic chemicals widely applied to flammable petroleum-based products. Over the last 40 years, these chemicals have grown in popularity and are now commonly found in textiles, furniture, carpets, insulation and electronics.
Among the most toxic are brominated flame retardants (BFRs), which include polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Studies have found PBDEs to be endocrine disruptors, which interrupt the hormone processes in the body. They may also cause liver and thyroid toxicity. Even minimal exposure at critical points in development can cause difficulties in learning, motor skills, memory and hearing, as well as damage to reproductive systems. Because flame retardants are not chemically bound to products, they are likely to leach out. PBDEs have been found to bioaccumulate in the food chain and do not readily break down in the environment. As a result, these chemicals have become widespread pollutants and are now commonly found in dairy products, fish and meat. To minimize your exposure: Avoid products made of synthetic fibers, and select naturally less-flammable alternatives such as wool and leather. Read product labels: They will sometimes state whether products contain flame retardants. Ask manufacturers what type of fire retardants they use.
Children’s pajamas made from synthetic fabrics are commonly treated (as stated on the label), but snug-fitting cotton pajamas are frequently untreated. It can be hard to find untreated alternatives for some products such as automobile upholstery, car seats and strollers. In these cases, it is helpful to clean items and surroundings using a vacuum equipped with a HEPA filter. Inspect products with covered foam (which are very likely to contain flame retardants) such as mattresses, sofas and car seats, and ensure that protective covers are not ripped. Old carpet pads are likely sources of PBDEs; use special caution when removing old carpet by isolating the work area and using a breathing mask.Identify electronic items in your home that are likely to contain PBDEs such as mobile phones, remote controls, hair dryers and kitchen appliances, and exercise special care by washing your hands after using them and not allowing young children to put them in their mouths. To avoid PBDEs in food, eat animal products with a lower fat content, as PBDEs tend to accumulate in fatty tissue.
Toxic Chemicals: FormaldehydeFormaldehyde is a colorless gas with a pungent odor that is used as a disinfectant, a preservative and a precursor for various resins in construction products. It is highly toxic and is used widely throughout the globe. The U.S. National Toxicology Program has labeled formaldehyde a known human carcinogen. mon domestic sources of formaldehyde are building materials, cigarette smoke and unvented fuel-burning appliances. Pressed wood products with urea-formaldehyde resins such as particleboard, hardwood plywood paneling and medium-density fiberboard are all common sources of indoor formaldehyde contamination. To minimize your exposure: Whenever possible, choose solid wood products over pressed wood. Ask about the formaldehyde content of wood products such as furniture and cabinetry before purchasing; most responsible manufacturers will be able to provide formaldehyde testing results. Fortunately, formaldehyde emissions decrease over time, which means older furnishings are less likely to offgas and makes used or antique furniture a safer option.
If you do purchase furnishings likely to contain formaldehyde, you can reduce emissions by covering them with one of the clear sealants available from AFM Safecoat. The EPA also recommends purchasing “exterior-grade” pressed wood products because they contain phenol resins instead of urea resins. If you are using glues or binders indoors, choose formaldehyde-free options. Finally, maintain moderate indoor temperatures and reduce humidity levels—formaldehyde offgases more readily in hot, humid environments.Toxic Chemicals: TriclosanWidely used for its antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties, triclosan is commonly referred to under the trade names Microban, Amicor, UltraFresh and BioFresh. Triclosan can be found in countless consumer products including deodorants, hand soap, hand sanitizer, toothpaste (to prevent gingivitis), mouthwash, dish soap, and even kitchen utensils, toys, mattresses, shoe insoles, bedding and trash bags. Studies have found that low levels of triclosan can be absorbed through the skin and enter the bloodstream, and the chemical appears in the urine of 75 percent of the U.S. population, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Animal tests have revealed that low levels of triclosan cause thyroid dysfunction and that maternal exposure causes fetal developmental problems. Studies have also detected a correlation between triclosan use and immune-system function as related to allergies and hay fever. Triclosan also wreaks havoc on the environment outside our homes: Experts believe the use of triclosan has assisted in the rise in antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Triclosan has been detected in waterways, where it is toxic to aquatic life, as only some is removed in the wastewater-treatment process.To minimize your exposure: Read product labels and avoid products containing triclosan. Manufacturers of most personal-care products are required by the FDA to list triclosan as an ingredient. Refer to the Skin Deep cosmetic database by the Environmental Working Group for safe alternatives. Other products such as toys, shower curtains and cutting boards may not specifically list triclosan as an ingredient, but are often labeled “antibacterial.”
Paraben PatrolWidely used in personal-care products and cosmetics, parabens are extremely common, low-cost synthetic preservatives. Studies from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found parabens in the majority of urine samples tested, demonstrating that these widespread chemicals are readily absorbed into the body. Parabens have been detected in human breast cancer tumors and are thought to disrupt the hormone systems of the body.Parabens are most often found in moisturizers, skin cleansers, shaving gel, topical pharmaceuticals, makeup, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, sunscreen and even as an additive in foods, beverages and some medications. To avoid parabens, read ingredient labels and avoid ingredients ending in -paraben, such as ethylparaben and butylparaben. For numerous recommendations for personal-care products that are paraben-free, check out the article "Come Clean." Easy Fix: Ditch Dry CleaningThe EPA recently listed tetrachloroethylene, or PERC, a chemical widely used in the dry-cleaning industry, as a likely human carcinogen.