As a parent, we all want to make sure our kids are safe when they sleep. That’s where flame retardants come in, so your kids are protected if there’s a fire. Really they are here to protect people from silly mistakes that happen from things like smoking in bed or using too many candles for that special anniversary night, and then getting a little too frisky.

Regardless, starting in the 1970s it was required to start adding flame retardants to everything from children’s clothing, furniture like your couch and mattress and even electronics. And in doing so, rather than save a few homes from fire, manufacturers exposed millions of people to toxic chemicals.

Enacted in 1953, the Flammable Fabrics Act (FFA), 15 U.S.C. §§ 1191-1204, was enacted by Congress to protect individuals from burns, fires, illness, and death as a result of highly flammable clothing. In 1967, Congress amended the FFA to expand its coverage to include interior furnishings as well as paper, plastic, foam, and other materials used in wearing apparel and interior furnishings. Under the FFA, CPSC can issue mandatory flammability standards. The Commission has established standards for the flammability of clothing textiles, vinyl plastic film (used in clothing), carpets and rugs, children's sleepwear, mattresses, and mattress pads, which are discussed further below. Those are all of the products you should now be taking a closer look at.

For many years we were writhing around in a mattress full of toxic chemicals known as monomeric halogenated flame retardants. In addition, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEs, were once widely used in products including furniture foam and electronics. But now a new study found that new alternatives to the toxic flame retardants known as polymeric brominated flame retardants (polyBFRs) are breaking down into smaller chemicals that put our health at risk.

How Are We Exposed to Flame Retardants?

We are exposed to toxic flame retardants through inhalation of dust particles containing these chemicals, ingestion of contaminated food and water, and direct contact with consumer products, textiles, and furniture that contain flame retardants.

We now know that you can absorb these chemicals directly through your skin. The more sweaty you are, the more chemicals you absorb, so dry off before hopping into your car, bed or on your couch.

Stick to lean cuts and watch for fish consumption advisories on the Spokane River. Eating lean cuts of meat and low-fat dairy products also may help reduce your exposure to the low levels of PBDEs that can be found in animal fats.

How Do Flame Retardants Impact Our Health?

Flame retardants have been linked to neurological damage, hormone disruption, and cancer. A significant concern is the bioaccumulation of certain flame retardants in humans, leading to persistent, chronic health issues as levels of these toxic substances increase within the body over time. Firefighters, who experience substantial exposure to flame retardants, are leading the charge to eliminate their use to combat associated health problems.

The chemical compounds have been linked in studies to poor blood sugar metabolism, gestational diabetes, obesity, thyroid disease, some cancers, reproductive issues and neurodevelopmental disorders.

Brominated flame retardant chemicals, banned in the U.S. since 2004, still pollute the bodies of newborn American babies, according to a new study from Indiana University scientists. Bromophenols. Exposure to PBDEs is linked to learning, memory and developmental problems, as well as endocrine disruption and cancer in both animal and epidemiological studies.

Today, PBDEs are the greatest contributor to intellectual disability in children, resulting in a total loss of 162 million IQ points and more than 738,000 cases of intellectual disability, according to an August 2020 study.

A recent study found people with the highest levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEs, in their blood had approximately a 300% increased risk of dying from cancer compared with people with the lowest levels, the study found.

What Can You Do?

The best approach now is to take a close look at what you buy, especially things that you spend alot of time sitting on or sleeping on like sofas and mattresses. Repair cushions, especially the dominant type, polyurethanes, which typically are loaded with flame retardants.

Keep existing infant car seats, foam mattress pads and furniture cushions completely encased in protective fabric that is not treated with flame retardants, as torn and exposed foam allows the chemicals to escape more quickly. Torn cushions release more of them. When reupholstering older couches or chairs, be sure to replace the old foam with flame retardant-free foam.

Try to reduce the dust in your home by dusting frequently and using techniques that pick up and do not scatter dust.

When you buy clothing for babies, children, and all ages, check to see if the manufacturer adds flame retardants and try to buy only those that do not.

The Green Science Policy Institute put together a list of flame retardants that can affect your health. Safer States is tracking state policies to ban or reduce the sale of dangerous flame retardants.

Below are some products that are flame retardant free or have lower toxicity for you and your family:

Car Seats

Nuna's car seats that are tested to be free from flame retardant and PFAS: Pipa Car Seats, Rava and EXEC Car Seats, Aace Car Seat.
The UPPAbaby Mesa infant car seats in the "Jordan" and "Henry" color options are flame retardant free: Knox Convertible Car Seat – Jordan (Wool Version) and Mesa car seat in Jordan and Henry.
Britax SafeWash line has a flame retardant free cover. The SafeWash fabric is synthetic and is free of PFAs: B-Safe Gen2 Infant Car Seat, Eclipse Black SafeWash, B-Safe Gen2 Flexfit Infant Car Seat, Twilight SafeWash, B-Safe Gen2 FlexFit+ Infant Car Seat, Drift SafeWash.

Couches

IKEA Fronson Cushions: This brand does not use flame retardants and also uses low-VOC materials. No prop. 65 warnings.
Medley Home Texture Haze Fabric: This brand does not use flame retardants and uses zero VOC glues. Medley also had pretty consistent non-detect results & no prop. 65 warnings.
Pottery Barn Performance Basketweave Slub Chambray: This brand does not use flame retardants. No prop. 65 warnings.
Savvy Rest Cotton Duck Sweet Potato: This brand does not use flame retardants. Prop. 65 warning for “wood dust” but unlikely to be problematic after you’ve taken it out of packaging.
West Elm Deluxe Velvet Burnt Umber: This brand does not use flame retardants. No prop. 65 warnings.

Matresses

Naturepedic is a family-run business with a mission to provide a safer, healthier sleep environment that helps customers get better sleep. Flame retardant alternatives: Wool and PLA.
Avocado is on a mission to be the most respected source for organic mattresses, pillows, and bedding at affordable prices. Flame retardant alternatives: Untreated organic wool and natural hydrated silica.
My Green Mattress is a family-owned business handcrafting certified organic mattresses for adults, children and babies. Flame retardant alternative: Wool.
Saatva is known for very comfortable mattresses and the Zenhaven latex mattress specifically is made with organic latex and no coils. Flame retardant alternative: Wool.

Are Newer Flame Retardants Safe? This Study Says Not Really.