Editor’s Note: This article is a reprint. It was originally published on March 1, 2017.
In 1973, the U.S. government passed a law requiring that all children’s sleepwear must be fire resistant. Legislators may have believed they were preserving public health, thinking such laws help keep citizens safe. However, as the saying goes, sometimes the cure is worse than the disease.
Less than five years later, scientists found that the chemical used to make those flame-retardant fabrics, brominated Tris, was linked to an increase in cancer cases. Brominated Tris was subsequently banned in kids’ pajamas.
By 1977, other chemicals were being used to make items like baby toys, clothing, carpeting, sofas, draperies, and even crib mattresses flame resistant. With a growing awareness of the health problems caused by these chemicals, there was widespread concern. Consumer Reports pointed out:
“In 2004, these concerns led to the voluntary phase-out of one of the most commonly used flame-retardant mixtures, called pentaBDE, due to health issues and high levels detected in people’s bodies. Many manufacturers started using organophosphates instead.”
However, a comprehensive study led by Duke University revealed that two flame-retardant chemicals in a class known as organophosphates were found in people’s urine. Even more concerning, the two most commonly used organophosphates, TDCIPP and TPHP, were increasing in urine samples collected between 2002 and 2015.
Experts warn that these substances not only cause cancer but also fertility problems, hormonal changes, thyroid issues, neurological disorders, and endocrine disruption.
Exposure to Flame-Retardant Chemicals Can Happen in Various Ways
Organophosphates can be inhaled, ingested, and absorbed through the skin, accumulating in fatty tissue. They can also leach into the environment. Consumer Reports stated:
“In a study led by Duke University, over 90% of the 857 adults and children tested had two commonly used organophosphates, TDCIPP and TPHP, in their urine. The levels of one of the chemicals, TDCIPP, were on average 17 times higher in adults in 2015 compared to 2002.”
Organophosphates are used as both flame retardants and pesticides, with different types used for each purpose but sharing similar structures. According to National Geographic:
“Organophosphates affect the nervous system similarly to nerve agents like sarin. They are so toxic to humans that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has taken steps to restrict their availability.”
Why Are Toxic Flame Retardants Still in Use?
Heather M. Stapleton, associate professor of environmental ethics and sustainable environmental management at Duke University and one of the study authors, highlighted:
“Animal testing has shown a variety of toxic effects associated with exposure to these chemicals at high concentrations. It’s a controversial topic. Despite using large amounts of these chemicals in furniture, there is minimal evidence that they are effective in preventing fires.”
Robin Dodson, an air pollution researcher at the Silent Spring Institute in Newton, Massachusetts, commented that “TDCIPP has been known to be harmful for a long time, yet it continues to be used.”
Many scientists and consumer groups believe that the public is unnecessarily exposed to toxic flame-retardant chemicals and question whether the benefits outweigh the risks, or if there are any benefits at all.
State legislators are increasingly taking action against flame retardants. Washington state lawmakers have already banned certain flame-retardant chemicals in children’s products and furniture, but manufacturers have replaced them with even more harmful alternatives.
How Do Organophosphate Chemicals Harm People and Animals?
Age and exposure levels determine the risks posed by organophosphates, as young and vulnerable individuals may struggle to eliminate the toxins from their systems. As noted by the Environmental Working Group (EWG):
“Flame retardants can accumulate more in the bodies of young children than in older kids or adults due to higher exposure to dust particles. Children breathe in more air and are exposed to more dust particles relative to their body weight than adults.
These chemicals, widely used in upholstered furniture and baby products, can escape and build up in household air and dust, where toddlers and babies play. Children’s hand-to-mouth activities can also increase their exposure.”
Accumulation of flame retardants can have serious health consequences over time, although daily health issues may not be immediately linked to chemical exposure.
Human and animal studies have connected organophosphate flame retardants to cancer, hormonal changes, and fertility problems.
What Can You Do
You can try to eliminate furniture, mattresses, clothing, food containers, and other items that may contain flame-retardant chemicals from your home. However, given their widespread use, this may be challenging and impractical.
When outside your home, personal and environmental hazards are likely present. Nonetheless, there are steps you can take to minimize your exposure:
• Clean up the dust – A study conducted by Robin Dodson and a research team from George Washington University found 45 potentially harmful toxins, including flame-retardant chemicals, in household dust.
Since Americans spend around 90% of their time indoors, places like schools, offices, gyms, and cars are typically full of dust, which contains chemicals from household items like televisions, furniture, beauty products, cleaning products, and flooring materials. These chemicals can enter the body through breathing, touching contaminated surfaces, and transferring to food or mouth with dusty hands.
Y algunos de estos productos químicos pueden contribuir a problemas de salud.
Mantén el polvo barrido, limpio y aspirado tanto como sea posible, e incluso tal vez invertir en un sistema purificador de aire de calidad.
• Revisa la etiqueta de los muebles nuevos — En 2015, California instituyó una ley que dice que todos los muebles tapizados nuevos deben tener una etiqueta que informe a los consumidores si han sido tratados con productos químicos retardantes de fuego.
En otros estados, si no hay etiqueta, pregunta a los vendedores qué saben sobre el origen y la fabricación de las piezas tapizadas. Si estás interesado en obtener información sobre artículos de muebles tapizados, puedes enviar una muestra de espuma de poliuretano a la Universidad de Duke para pruebas gratuitas.
• Revisa todos los productos para bebés — Aunque algunos estados han precipitado la eliminación de ciertos productos químicos tóxicos retardantes de fuego en cosas como ropa de bebé, ropa de cama, asientos de automóvil y juguetes, muchos fabricantes no han recibido el mensaje.
“In 2003, EWG analyzed breast milk samples from 20 first-time mothers to measure concentrations of brominated flame retardants known as PBDEs. We detected these chemicals in every study participant.
Esto y otros estudios llevaron a la EPA y a los fabricantes a eliminar gradualmente el uso de PBDEs. Pero las compañías químicas sustituyeron el Tris por los PBDEs, y la exposición de los estadounidenses a estos productos químicos de reemplazo ha aumentado drásticamente.
• Involúcrate, demuestra que estás informado y apoya los esfuerzos para reducir los productos químicos tóxicos — Aunque los productos químicos retardantes de fuego pueden causar daños acumulativos en tu cuerpo, eliminarlos de tu hogar y entorno ha demostrado disiparlos con el tiempo. De hecho, 10 años después de que se prohibieran los PBDEs, la investigación mostró una disminución de casi el 40% de tales productos químicos en la leche materna de las mujeres.