Worried about being exposed for years to sofas filled with flame retardants? The dust from the foam in these sofas release flame retardants into the air, which then get into people's bodies. Flame retardants are linked to all sorts of health problems (cancer risk, hormone disruption, and neurodevelopmental effects). But finally, there is some good news.
A recent study found that just one year after getting rid of old flame retardant filled sofas and chairs (and replacing them with flame retardant-free furniture) resulted in a huge decline in flame retardant polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in the body. The levels of PBDEs declined in half in 1.4 years.
The use of use of organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) in foam products (e.g., the foam in upholstered furniture) is also declining in upholstered furniture, but the levels in the study participants didn't decline as much. This is perhaps because OPFRs are still used today in many other products (e.g., as a plasticizer, a coating for electronic devices, in car furnishings).
Bottom line: When buying new sofas and upholstered chairs, look for flame-retardant free furniture. A label commonly on the bottom of the furniture will tell you if they contain flame retardant chemicals or not. [NOTE: Upholstered furniture made between 1970 and 2014 probably contains flame retardants.] Also, wash hands before eating. Vacuum with a HEPA filter.
From Medical Xpress: Swapping old sofas and chairs reduces body levels of harmful flame retardants
New research led by the California Department of Public Health and partners has found that replacing foam-containing furniture made before 2014 would cut in half levels of certain harmful flame retardants in people's bodies in just over a year.
Published in Environmental Pollution, the study is the first to show measurable health benefits from California's 2014 furniture flammability standard update, which made it possible for manufacturers to comply without adding chemical flame retardants.
Specifically, volunteers who swapped their old sofas and living room chairs for new, flame-retardant-free versions saw their blood concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) drop by half in just 1.4 years. Due to the overall declining use of these chemicals, levels in participants who did not replace furniture dropped as well, but two to four times more slowly.
PBDEs are linked to cancer risk, hormone disruption, and neurodevelopmental effects. Epidemiological studies have shown that the average U.S. child has lost three to five IQ points from exposure to one PBDE. Further, a recent research paper estimated those with the highest levels of this flame retardant in their blood had about four times the risk of dying from cancer compared with people with the lowest levels.
"This study shows that the update to California's flammability standard not only changed what goes into furniture—it changed what goes into people's bodies," said co-lead author Kathleen Attfield, a Research Scientist Supervisor with the California Department of Public Health. "Through biomonitoring, we can assess how policy changes and consumer choices can work together to lower exposures to toxic chemicals."
Upholstered furniture made between 1970 and 2014 is likely to contain flame retardants because California's open-flame flammability standard, Technical Bulletin 117 (TB117), in effect during that time, necessitated it. Due to California's market size, this was a de facto national standard. In addition to exposing people to harmful chemicals, TB117 provided no actual fire safety benefits.
In 2012, then-governor Jerry Brown called for a new furniture standard that would require upholstered products to resist smoldering fires, but not open flames, which removed the need for chemical flame retardants. This standard (TB117-2013) became mandatory for new furniture manufactured after January 1, 2015. Notably, this update has maintained, or even modestly increased, furniture fire safety.
The study also measured organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs), a class of PBDE replacements also used to meet the old standard, but found these chemicals did not follow the same trend, likely because these chemicals are harder to track over time. In addition, people could also be exposed to OPFRs that continue to be used in other products like vehicles and electronics. The authors express concern about these uses, as OPFRs are also linked to neurodevelopmental and other harms.
Still, the overall message is hopeful: replacing an old sofa can lower exposure to harmful chemicals and protect long-term health. At the same time, replacing furniture may not be affordable for lower-income households, raising important equity concerns.
Flame retardants leach from products into house dust, which we all inadvertently ingest, especially children. Other ways to reduce flame retardant exposure therefore include washing hands often (especially before preparing or eating food), reducing dust levels in your home with wet rags, and using a vacuum cleaner with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. Biomonitoring California has put together a helpful fact sheet for the public.