Green Newton

The Massachusetts State House passed the Children and Firefighters Protection Act on November 5. This bill to ban toxic flame retardants in children’s products and other household products is a huge step forward for protecting children and firefighters from this toxic hazard. Thank you to bill sponsor Marjorie Decker, House Ways & Means Chairman State Representative Aaron Michlewitz and House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo for your leadership on behalf of public health.

The bill now returns to the Senate, which previously passed a similar bill thanks to the leadership of Senator Cindy Creem, Senate President Karen E. Spilka, and Chairman Michael Rodrigues. Thanks also to Clean Water Action Massachusetts, The Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow, Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts (PFFM), Silent Spring Institute, Built Environment Plus, Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group (MASSPIRG), Environmental League of Massachusetts (ELM) and others – let’s get this over the finish line!

What are Flame Retardants?

Flame retardants are chemicals that are added to everyday products such as highchairs, car seats, nursing pads, upholstered furniture, carpet pads, nap mats, strollers, electronics (including toys) and many more common household products.

Why are flame retardants a problem?

Many flame retardants are hazardous to our health. Over time flame retardants escape from the products they are used in and get into the air and dust around us.

What are the health effects?

Flame retardants are linked to severe health problems, such as:

cancer
nervous system damage
developmental delays
interference with hormone system
decreased IQ
birth defects

How does contamination occur and how are we exposed?

Flame retardants get into our bodies through dust and the air we breathe. They have been found in breast milk and umbilical cord blood. Flame retardant exposure is most hazardous for pregnant women, children and firefighters. Children are especially vulnerable because their organ systems are not fully developed. Pound for pound children absorb more toxic chemicals than adults. Children are also more likely to put products in their mouth-a primary pathway for these chemicals to enter their bodies.

Firefighters are exposed to flame retardants when they go into burning buildings. When the chemicals burn, they create toxic smoke and soot, contributing to the high rate if cancer among firefighters.

Do we need flame retardants for fire safety?

Flame retardants DO NOT make households safer, which is why firefighters have been the strongest advocates for eliminating toxic flame retardants.

Flame retardants do not slow the spread of fire. What’s worse, when the flame retardants do burn, they make smoke more toxic. Fortunately, there are ways to make products fire safe without toxic chemicals, like using less flammable materials and barriers between foam and fabric. Many companies are already doing so. From the mid 1970’s until 2013, almost all upholstered furniture contained flame retardants, now flame retardant free products are widely available.

What can be done to reduce flame retardant exposure?

Stop using flame retardants: Manufacturers should stop making and using toxic flame retardant chemicals wherever a safer alternative exists. There are safer alternatives available for nearly all uses.
Update flammability standards: Some flammability standards are designed in such a way that they can only be met using flame retardant chemicals and many are outdated. Flammability standards should be updated to reflect modern understanding of hazards.

Right to know: Consumers and residents need to know what factories are making and using flame retardant chemicals and what products contain them.

Tips for consumers

• Keep toxic flame retardants from building up in your home: Vacuum and mop often to reduce dust that hosts flame retardant chemicals.
• Wash hands before eating to remove flame retardant chemicals
• Before buying new furniture, check the tag to see if it is flame retardant free
• When buying products made of foam (nursing pillows, car seats etc.), curtains, carpet padding or mattresses, ask if the products contain flame retardant chemicals (you might have to call the manufacturer)
• Mattresses with memory foam or that are shipped rolled up in a box are more likely to contain flame retardant chemicals than regular mattresses

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