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Toxic Furniture Chemicals Found in Blood Drop Dramatically
24 Dec
Summary
- Removing old furniture with flame retardants halves blood chemical levels.
- California banned toxic furniture flame retardants starting in 2015.
- Flame retardants are linked to cancer, thyroid disease, and IQ deficits.
A decade-long study has revealed that removing furniture containing flame retardants from homes dramatically lowers toxic chemical levels in individuals' blood. Researchers observed that blood concentrations of these chemicals were reduced by approximately half within just 1.4 years for those who disposed of older furniture.
These harmful flame retardants, commonly found in furniture manufactured between 1975 and 2015, are associated with severe health risks, including cancer, thyroid disease, and developmental issues in children. California's decision in 2015 to eliminate requirements for the most toxic flame retardants in furniture has proven to be a significant public health intervention.
The chemicals often break down from furniture and contaminate household dust, which can then be inhaled or ingested. Industry-wide shifts, spurred by regulations in California and Congress, mean these chemicals are increasingly absent from new products, leading to a broader decrease in their presence in the population.
