What Is It?

Since the 1970s, flame retardants are a group of chemicals that have been commonly added to household furniture and other materials for preventing or slowing the spread of fires.[19] Their widespread incorporation in household furnishings and appliances and ability to persist in the environment owe to the prevalence of flame retardants in our indoor and outdoor surroundings. Exposure to flame retardants can occur through household dust, indoor air (from the leaching of chemicals from furniture), and ingestion of water and food. Flame retardant chemicals can enter air, water, and soil throughout the manufacture process of foam-based furniture and/or other industrial materials containing them.

Why It Matters

Flame retardants are a group of chemicals commonly added to products with the intention of increasing resistance to fires. Flame retardants are commonly added to polyurethane foam in furniture and mattresses. Because polyurethane foam is made from materials derived from fossil fuels, and therefore highly combustible, some industry officials assert that flame retardant chemicals lower the risk of flammability.[2] However, these chemicals are of significant concern to human health, and might not actually give more time to escape in a fire.[3]

Where It’s Found

Flame retardants are found in foam-based furniture like mattresses, sofas, rug pads, as well as some clothing like children’s pajamas, electronics, cars, car seats, building materials and more.

Found In

Foam-based furniture
Electronics
Clothing
Rug pads
Cars and car seats

The Health Concern

Flame retardants are linked to long-term impacts like endocrine disruption,[17][21][22][27] lower IQ[7][10] and altered neurodevelopment,[15][21][28] hyperactivity,[23] altered sexual development,[21][27] fertility issues,[4][18] thyroid dysfunction,[27] and cancer.[11][20]

Some flame retardants can accumulate in the placenta, which could adversely impact a developing fetus.[16] Mothers can transfer flame retardants to their babies through breast milk. Exposure to toxic substances during critical windows of development can have long-lasting impacts on children’s systems.[12] For example, one study that measured certain flame retardant metabolites, the products of metabolizing a substance in the body, in pregnant women found adverse impacts on intelligence and working memory in children when they were assessed at age seven.[5]

Household dust is another common route of exposure to flame retardant chemicals.[21][27][29] Because some flame retardants are not heavily bound to the products they’re used in, flame retardants can migrate from a product, like a mattress, and land in household dust.[30] From there, they’re inhaled, consumed, and then stored in the body.[9] Flame retardant chemicals have been measured in dryer lint; this is likely from household dust accumulating in clothing and/or children’s pajamas.[31]

Many flame retardant chemicals are also persistent in the environment[1][9][24][32] and some are known to be toxic to aquatic life.[8] They can bioaccumulate (accumulate in organisms’ tissues) and biomagnify (accumulate progressively in organisms’ tissues up the food chain)[1][9] and have been detected in the tissues of animals, such as polar bears,[6] sea otters,[13] killer whales,[24] and more.

The groups of flame retardants listed below are of the most concern. However, because many flame retardant chemical mixtures are proprietary information, it is difficult to determine the true extent to which flame retardants may cause human health and environmental issues.

Halogenated flame retardants chemicals: those containing chlorine, bromine, iodine, or fluorine. This class includes flame retardants sometimes referred to as brominated or chlorinated flame retardants.[9][25][26]
Organophosphorus flame retardants: those containing phosphorous bonded to carbon.[9]

How to Avoid It

Avoid linens and clothing marketed as “flame resistant”, “fire retardant” or other labels indicating they may be treated with harmful chemicals. Seek brands that use natural alternatives to flame retardants, such as organic cotton or wool, which are naturally flame-resistant materials.[14]

If products containing natural flame retardants like wool or cotton are not available or not in your budget, consider products that use what’s called a “fire barrier”. These are typically made of synthetic fibers like rayon or polyester instead of chemical flame retardants. While these materials are imperfect because they’re not biodegradable, they’re a better alternative to chemical flame retardants. However, make sure to inquire with the company to ensure that the fire barrier is composed only of synthetic fabrics and does not contain chemical flame retardants, as some companies use both in their fire barriers.

Don’t rely only on product tags to ensure they’re made without flame retardants. Ask companies directly if products are used without any added flame retardants.

Favor products made from alternatives to polyurethane foam. Because flame retardants are often used in these products, looking for products that use other options like latex can help you avoid them. Dust frequently using a damp cloth.