Why They Matter
Flame retardants are a group of chemicals commonly added to products with the intention of increasing resistance to fires. Flame retardants are commonly added to polyurethane foam in furniture and mattresses. Because polyurethane foam is made from materials derived from fossil fuels, and therefore highly combustible, some industry officials assert that flame retardant chemicals lower the risk of flammability.[2] However, these chemicals are of significant concern to human health, and might not actually give more time to escape in a fire.[3]
What Are They?
Since the 1970s, flame retardants are a group of chemicals that have been commonly added to household furniture and other materials for preventing or slowing the spread of fires.[19] Their widespread incorporation in household furnishings and appliances and ability to persist in the environment owe to the prevalence of flame retardants in our indoor and outdoor surroundings.
Exposure to flame retardants can occur through household dust, indoor air (from the leaching of chemicals from furniture), and ingestion of water and food. Flame retardant chemicals can enter air, water, and soil throughout the manufacture process of foam-based furniture and/or other industrial materials containing them. Electronic waste, when burned or taken apart, can contaminate the surrounding environment with flame retardants as well.[19] Yet, these chemicals are of significant concern to our health and might not actually give us more time to escape in a fire.[3]
Where They’re Found
Flame retardants are found in foam-based furniture like mattresses, sofas, rug pads, as well as some clothing like children’s pajamas, electronics, cars, car seats, building materials and more.
The Health Concern
Flame retardants are linked to long-term impacts like endocrine disruption,[17][21][22][27]lower IQ [7][10] and altered neurodevelopment, [15][21][28]hyperactivity, [23] altered sexual development, [21][27] fertility issues, [4][18] thyroid dysfunction, [27] and cancer. [11] [20]
Some flame retardants can accumulate in the placenta, which could adversely impact a developing fetus.[16] Mothers can transfer flame retardants to their babies through breast milk. In fact, breast milk can be one of the largest sources of flame retardants in a human’s lifetime.[12] Exposure to toxic substances during critical windows of development can have long-lasting impacts on children’s systems.[12] For example, one study that measured certain flame retardant metabolites, the products of metabolizing a substance in the body, in pregnant women found adverse impacts on intelligence and working memory in children when they were assessed at age seven.[5]
Household dust is another common route of exposure to flame retardant chemicals.[21][27][29] Because some flame retardants are not heavily bound to the products they’re used in, flame retardants can migrate from a product, like a mattress, and land in household dust.[30] From there, they’re inhaled, consumed, and then stored in our bodies. [9] Flame retardant chemicals have been measured in dryer lint; this is likely from household dust accumulating in clothing and/or children’s pajamas.[31]
Many flame retardant chemicals are also persistent in the environment[1] [9] [24] [32] and some are known to be toxic to aquatic life.[8] They can bioaccumulate (accumulate in organisms’ tissues)and biomagnify (accumulate progressively in organisms’ tissues up the food chain) [1] [9] and have been detected in the tissues of animals, such as polar bears,[6] sea otters,[13] killer whales,[24] and more.
The groups of flame retardants listed below are of the most concern. However, because many flame retardant chemical mixtures are proprietary information, it is difficult to determine the true extent to which flame retardants may cause human health and environmental issues.
- Halogenated flame retardants chemicals: those containing chlorine, bromine, iodine, or fluorine. This class includes flame retardants sometimes referred to as brominated or chlorinated flame retardants.[9] [25] [26]
- Organophosphorus flame retardants: those containing phosphorous bonded to carbon.[9]
For more information about the different types of flame retardants, check out MADE SAFE’s bedding report ( Toxic Chemicals in Bedding, Safer Alternatives & Certified Products for Healthier Sleep).
How to Avoid Them
- Avoid linens and clothing marketed as “flame resistant”, “fire retardant” or other labels indicating they may be treated with harmful chemicals.
- Seek brands that use natural alternatives to flame retardants, such as organic cotton or wool, which are naturally flame-resistant materials.[14]
- If products containing natural flame retardants like wool or cotton are not available or not in your budget, consider products that use what’s called a “fire barrier”. These are typically made of synthetic fibers like rayon or polyester instead of chemical flame retardants. While these materials are imperfect because they’re not biodegradable, they’re a better alternative to chemical flame retardants. However, make sure to inquire with the company to ensure that the fire barrier is composed only of synthetic fabrics and does not contain chemical flame retardants, as some companies use both in their fire barriers.
- Don’t rely only on product tags to ensure they’re made without flame retardants. Ask companies directly if products are used without any added flame retardants.
- Favor products made from alternatives to polyurethane foam. Because flame retardants are often used in these products, looking for products that use other options like latex can help you avoid them.
- Dust frequently using a damp cloth. To capture flame retardants that may have settled in household dust, dust with a reusable cloth dampened with water or a MADE SAFE or MADE WISE certified cleaner.
- Vacuum or mop often. To catch flame retardants in dust, use a wet mop or vacuum with a HEPA filter.
- Consider your carpet and rugs when re-decorating or re-modeling. When it comes time to change out your carpet and rugs, choose options that do not use flame retardant treated rug or carpet pads. Many carpet companies use pads made from recycled polyurethane foam, which can be contaminated with flame retardants, so make sure to ask the company questions about potential sources of contamination.
- Shop MADE SAFE and MADE WISE Certified products.
References:
[1] Baron, E., Gimenez, J., Verborgh, P., Gauffier, P., De Stephanis, R., Eljarrat, E., & Barcelo, D. 57 (2015). Bioaccumulation and biomagnification of classical flame retardants, related halogenated natural compounds and alternative flame retardants in three delphinids from southern European waters. Environmental Pollution, 203, 107-115. 10.1016/j.envpol.2015.03.041 Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25875161
[2] Bor, B. E., Järnström, H., Novoselac, A., & Xu, Y. (2014). Infant exposure to emissions of volatile organic compounds from crib mattresses. Environmental Science & Technology, 48(6), 3541. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24548111
[3] Borlase, G. A., Adair, P. K., & Mehta, S. (2012). Memorandum: Upholstered furniture full 16 scale chair test -- open flame ignition results and analysis. Consumer Product Safety Commission, (CPSC). Retrieved from https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/openflame.pdf
[4] Carignan, C. C., Mínguez-Alarcón, L., Williams, P. L., Meeker, J. D., Stapleton, H. M., Butt, C. 35 M., Hauser, R. (2018). Paternal urinary concentrations of organophosphate flame retardant metabolites, fertility measures, and pregnancy outcomes among couples undergoing in vitro fertilization. Environment International, 111, 232-238. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2017.12.005
[5] Castorina, R., Bradman, A., Stapleton, H. M., Butt, C., Avery, D., Harley, K. G., Eskenazi, B. (2017). Current-use flame retardants: Maternal exposure and neurodevelopment in children of the CHAMACOS cohort. Chemosphere, 189, 574-580. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.09.037
[6] Dietz, R., Rigét, F., Sonne, C., Born, E. W., Bechshøft, T., McKinney, M. A., Letcher, R. J. (2012). Three decades (1983-2010) of contaminant trends in east Greenland polar bears (Ursus maritimus). part 2: Brominated flame retardants. Environment International. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2012.09.008
[7] Eskenazi, B., Chevrier, J., Rauch, S. A., Kogut, K., Harley, K. G., Johnson, C., Bradman, A. (2013). In utero and childhood polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) exposures and neurodevelopment in the CHAMACOS study. Environmental Health Perspectives, 121(2), 257-262. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1205597
[8] Gerlach, C. V., Das, S. R., Volz, D. C., Bisson, W. H., Kolluri, S. K., & Tanguay, R. L. (2014). Mono-substituted isopropylated triaryl phosphate, a major component of firemaster 550, is an AHR agonist that exhibits AHR-independent cardiotoxicity in zebrafish. Aquatic Toxicology, 154, 71-79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquatox.2014.05.007
[9] Green Science Policy Institute. (2013). Flame retardants. Retrieved from http://greensciencepolicy.org/topics/flame-retardants/
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[11] Hoffman, K., Lorenzo, A., Butt, C. M., Hammel, S. C., Henderson, B. B., Roman, S. A., Sosa, J. A. (2017). Exposure to flame retardant chemicals and occurrence and severity of papillary thyroid cancer: A case-control study. Environment International, 107, 235-242. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2017.06.021
[12] Jones-Otazo, H. A., Clarke, J. P., Diamond, M. L., Archbold, J. A., Ferguson, G., Harner, T., Wilford, B. (2005). Is house dust the missing exposure pathway for PBDEs? an analysis of the urban fate and human exposure to PBDEs. Environmental Science & Technology, 39(14), 5121-5130. https://doi.org/10.1021/es048267b
[13] Kannan, K., Moon, H., Yun, S. H., Agusa, T., Thomas, N. J., & Tanabe, S. (2008). Chlorinated, brominated, and perfluorinated compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and trace elements in livers of sea otters from California, Washington, and Alaska (USA), and Kamchatka (Russia). Journal of Environmental Monitoring : JEM, 10(4), 552-558. https://doi.org/10.1039/b718596k
[14] Kilinc, F. S. (2013). A handbook of fire resistant textiles. The Textile Institute and Woodhead Publishing. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780857091239500249
[15] Kylie D Rock, Brian Horman, Allison L Phillips, Susan L McRitchie, Scott Watson, Jocelin Deese-Spruill, Heather B Patisaul. (2018). EDC IMPACT: Molecular effects of developmental FM 550 exposure in wistar rat placenta and fetal forebrain. Endocrine Connections, 7(2), 305-324. https://doi.org/10.1530/EC-17-0373
[16] Leonetti, C., Butt, C. M., Hoffman, K., Hammel, S. C., Miranda, M. L., & Stapleton, H. M. (2016). Brominated flame retardants in placental tissues: Associations with infant sex and thyroid hormone endpoints. Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source, 15(1), 113. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12940-016-0199-8
[17] Macaulay, L. J., Chen, A., Rock, K. D., Dishaw, L. V., Dong, W., Hinton, D. E., & Stapleton, H.M. (2015). Developmental toxicity of the PBDE metabolite 6-OH-BDE-47 in zebrafish and the potential role of thyroid receptor β. Aquatic Toxicology, 168, 38-47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquatox.2015.09.007
[18] Meeker, J. D., Johnson, P. I., Camann, D., & Hauser, R. (2009). Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) concentrations in house dust are related to hormone levels in men. Science of the Total Environment, 407(10), 3425-3429. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2009.01.030
[19] National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. (2023). Flame Retardants. Accessed March 30, 2023. Retrieved from https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/flame_retardants/index.cfm
[20] Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, (OEHHA). (2011). Chemicals considered or listed under proposition 65: Tris (1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCPP). California Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved from https://oehha.ca.gov/proposition-65/chemicals/tris13-dichloro-2-propyl-phosphate-tdcpp
[21] Patisaul, H. B., Roberts, S. C., Mabrey, N., McCaffrey, K. A., Gear, R. B., Braun, J., Stapleton, H. M. (2013). Accumulation and endocrine disrupting effects of the flame retardant mixture Firemaster® 550 in rats: An exploratory assessment. Journal of Biochemical and Molecular Toxicology, 27(2), 124-136. https://doi.org/10.1002/jbt.21439
[22] Preston, E. V., McClean, M. D., Claus Henn, B., Stapleton, H. M., Braverman, L. E., Pearce, E. N., Webster, T. F. (2017). Associations between urinary diphenyl phosphate and thyroid function. Environment International, 101, 158-164. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2017.01.020
[23] Roze, E., Meijer, L., Bakker, A., Van Braeckel, Koenraad N J A, Sauer, P. J., & Bos, A. F. (2009). Prenatal exposure to organohalogens, including brominated flame retardants, influences motor, cognitive, and behavioral performance at school age. Environmental Health Perspectives, 117(12), 1953-1958. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.0901015
[24] Ross, P. S. (2005). Fireproof killer whales (Orcinus orca): Flame-retardant chemicals and the conservation imperative in the charismatic icon of British Columbia, Canada. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 63(1), 224-234. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1139/f05-244
[25] Scott, L. (2018). CPSC and the mattress industry: The latest from CPSC. International Sleep 79 Products Association Expo. Accessed March 30, 2023. Retrieved from https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/ISPA-Mattress-Training-March-2018-Final.pdf?Dc5M8dfkVuPX0d12lpQwz_z9OdQbOaho
[26] Siddiqi, M. A., Laessig, R. H., & Reed, K. D. (2003). Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs): New Pollutants–Old diseases. Clinical Medicine & Research, 1(4), 281-290. Retrieved from http://www.clinmedres.org/content/1/4/281.abstract
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[28] Slotkin, T. A., Skavicus, S., Stapleton, H. M., & Seidler, F. J. (2017). Brominated and organophosphate flame retardants target different neurodevelopmental stages, characterized with embryonic neural stem cells and neuronotypic PC12 cells. Toxicology, 390, 32-42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tox.2017.08.009
[29] Stapleton, H. M., Allen, J. G., Kelly, S. M., Konstantinov, A., Klosterhaus, S., Watkins, D., Webster, T. F. (2008). Alternate and new brominated flame retardants detected in U.S. house dust. Environmental Science & Technology, 42(18), 6910-6916. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18853808
[30] Stapleton, H. M., Klosterhaus, S., Keller, A., Ferguson, P. L., van Bergen, S., Cooper, E., Blum, A. (2011). Identification of flame retardants in polyurethane foam collected from baby products. Environmental Science & Technology, 45(12), 5323. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21591615
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[32] United States Environmental Protection Agency, (EPA). (2015). Flame retardants used in flexible polyurethane foam: An alternatives assessment update. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-08/documents/ffr_final.pdf
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