How To Reduce Fire Retardant Chemicals In Your Home

All California furniture has been required to meet an open flame flammability standard for foam since the 1980s. This standard is also followed by some national manufacturers outside California. It is primarily achieved by adding potentially toxic fire retardant chemicals (BFRs and CFRs) to the polyurethane foam inside furniture. These chemicals migrate from the furniture and are found in dust, dryer lint, pets, and people. Since there is no labeling requirement, there is no way to learn what chemicals are inside your furniture. But there are things you can do!

Here are some suggestions to minimize exposure to potentially toxic fire retardants in your home: Continue Reading »

On May 2nd, 2008, Green Science Policy will hold its fifth session on flame retardants, which will focus on chemical policy reform in California and the EU, environmental remediation, and a proposed international standard for electronics that could triple use of FRs. I have been to the previous session and was so taken by the evidence that I decided to get involved. I feel it is critical to understand the domino effect of integrating toxic chemicals into products we use or are exposed to every day. See the agenda.