Research Findings on Toxic Chemical Reduction
A comprehensive 10-year investigation conducted by California authorities and health organizations has demonstrated that discarding older furniture treated with flame retardants can markedly lower the concentration of these harmful substances in human blood.
Arlene Blum, director of the Green Science Policy Institute, who has long advocated for reducing flame retardants in products, described the observed decrease as a "super big deal." She added, "To my mind, that's a pretty dramatic change, and it shows how you can effect change and improve public health with a regulation."
Health Risks and Historical Context
Furniture manufactured with foam between 1975 and 2015 typically included various toxic flame retardants, which are associated with severe health issues such as cancer, neurotoxicity, thyroid disorders, and developmental problems in children.
In 2015, California revised its flammability standards to remove mandates for certain hazardous flame retardants in furniture. Over the following decade, researchers monitored blood levels in individuals who had such furniture, finding that those who removed it experienced a fourfold faster decline in flame retardant concentrations compared to those who did not, with average levels halving within 1.4 years.
Regulatory Actions and Recommendations
Following years of advocacy, California banned some of the most dangerous flame retardant compounds in furniture and other items, with similar federal measures enacted in 2020. Blum noted that the furniture industry has largely phased out these chemicals, suggesting broader reductions in blood levels as older furniture is replaced.
Blum advises replacing furniture from the 1975-2015 period with newer or pre-1975 alternatives. For cost-effective solutions, she suggests replacing couch cushion foam or regularly dusting and using HEPA-filter vacuums to minimize exposure.
