Recent findings indicate that flame retardants in U.S. furniture – especially couches – are on the rise. While flame retardants are meant to prevent or suppress the spread of fire, their chemicals may also be harmful to families who are exposed to them. According to Scientific American, most furniture does not carry labels that provide information to consumers, so it’s unknown whether there are health risks from the newer flame retardants. This article from The Atlantic highlights the issue, and provides a list of furniture stores that have started phasing out the use of flame retardants.
It’s not just firefighters’ health that might be threatened by flame retardants, which still lace most furniture and electronics. Even in the absence of a fire, our sofas and TVs are constantly sloughing off these chemicals, which some studies link to thyroid and other endocrine problems.
Some types of flame retardants, called PBDEs, have been phased out, but their replacements might also be harmful. There is evidence that people have traces of flame retardants in their bodies. Toddlers tend to have higher levels because they crawl on couch cushions and put their hands in their mouths.
We won’t know the full health impacts of these chemicals until studies prove a causal link. In the meantime, if you want to stay as flame-retardant free as possible, the Environmental Working Group and NRDC have compiled lists of furniture stores that have started phasing out flame retardants this year.
