Are you worried about flame retardant chemicals in your furniture? You are not alone. There are several studies that show flame retardant chemicals can cause cancer, lower IQ, and decreased fertility. So, how can you make sure your furniture is safe? You should be able to tell if your sofa is fire retardant by reading our article below. However, we recommend you only buy flame retardant furniture if it is marked with a flame retardant label.
Flame retardant chemicals can cause cancer
There are now widespread concerns that flame retardant chemicals can cause cancer, including some that have been designated as probable carcinogens. However, this does not mean that they are harmless, as the American Chemistry Council has defended their use as well as their safety. In a 2012 investigation, the Chicago Tribune found that the chemical industry manipulated several studies to increase the effectiveness of the flame retardant chemicals and minimize the risks to human health. In response to concerns about their safety and effect on human health, a new generation of flame retardants have been introduced to the market.
While there is not a direct link between flame retardants and cancer, there is evidence that PFOA may be linked to the onset of thyroid cancer. The study, carried out by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in conjunction with the National Cancer Institute, suggests a connection between these two chemicals and the development of cancer. The researchers hope to get federal funding for the project by asking people with thyroid cancer to wear silicone bracelets to collect data on the use of flame retardants.
Brominated flame retardants are widely used in consumer products and have been linked to breast cancer in lab animals. These chemicals interfere with hormone signaling, and can stimulate estrogen activity. Since these chemicals do not stick directly to the material they adhere to, they can end up in your food, house dust, and even in your air. Because of this, it is crucial to avoid flame retardants that can cause cancer. It is therefore vital to understand the possible risks and benefits of these chemicals in flame retardant products and make a conscious decision as to which ones to avoid.
Although the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission took action against flame retardants in 2011, many researchers continue to believe that the chemicals are harmful to human health. In fact, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recently banned two of the most popular ones, but a new generation is being introduced that has little to no information on their effects. This is why many scientists are calling for a change in the regulations regarding flame retardants.
Lower IQ
Fire retardants are chemical compounds that are added to furniture to protect it from flames. This flammability standard, known as TB117, is the de facto national standard in the furniture industry. But what is this chemical, and what does it do to our bodies? It is linked to cancer, hormone disruption, and neurological toxicity. And it’s even worse for the environment. In addition to the flammability risks, the chemicals also cause health problems.
Studies show that flame retardants migrate out of furniture and into dust and air, where they can be ingested by humans. Studies have linked these chemicals with cancer, decreased fertility, and lower IQ. Children are especially vulnerable to the dangers, as they commonly put their hands in their mouths. These chemicals are also found in many consumer products, including your sofa. It’s no wonder you should be wary of purchasing a new sofa made of flame retardant materials.
This controversial chemical is found in many products, from baby strollers to furniture foam. It’s also linked to mental impairments in young children, and even cancer in firefighters. There’s some evidence that children exposed to these chemicals are at a higher risk of hyperactivity and lower IQ. In 2004, most of these chemicals were removed from the market in the U.S., but this hasn’t stopped the debate. There’s legislation in San Francisco that would ban polybrominated diphenyl ethers in home furnishings.
Flame retardants are more harmful to developing brains than lead and mercury, and they affect children’s IQ twice as much as either. Pesticides also have an effect on their IQ. Unfortunately, there’s no way to reverse the effects of exposure to flame retardants. In fact, these substances have been linked to the loss of 162 million IQ points in children living in the US. These numbers are only a small percentage of the many chemicals that cause damage.
Decreased fertility
A new study suggests that a commonly used sofa flame retardant is responsible for lowered fertility among women. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBRs), which are used to protect household items from fire, have been linked to decreased fertility in women. The chemicals are hormone disruptors that accumulate in the blood and tissues. In fact, a study published in Environmental Health Perspectives shows that exposure to PBDEs decreases a woman’s chance of conceiving.
PBDEs are measured in nanograms per gram of fat. Exposure to a ten-fold increase in PBDEs results in reduced fertility in women. In the study, the median time to conceiving was three months. About fifteen percent of the women took more than 12 months to conceive. Some took up to 10 years. Clearly, this effect is a serious concern.
In the same Harvard study, flame retardants were detected in the urine of women who underwent in vitro fertilization. The researchers also found elevated levels of five PFR chemicals in the urine of the women. These women had decreased chances of conceiving, having a healthy pregnancy, fertilization, and live birth. This finding does not prove that flame retardants cause infertility, but it does suggest that women who live in homes with high PFR levels are more likely to become infertile.
While many are worried about the long-term health effects of flame retardants, recent research indicates that the residues from these chemicals are a growing concern in consumer products. While it’s difficult to avoid flame retardants entirely, we should take steps to reduce their use in the home. In the meantime, we can reduce the risks by vacuuming regularly and avoiding flame retardants. This will also keep the dust level low.
Lower fertility
The study also found that women who live in households that are filled with flame-retardant materials have lower fertility. This may be because these flame-retardants have been known to affect fertility. Although the findings of this study were preliminary, the future of reproductive health may depend on this information. More research is needed to determine if there is a link between flame retardants and reduced fertility. Currently, women are advised to avoid flame-retardant furniture and carpets.
In addition to lowering fertility, flame-retardant chemicals are known to disrupt sex hormones and can affect embryo development. While new safety regulations allow for the production of upholstered furniture without flame-retardants, it can be hard to tell if a product is free of these chemicals. In addition, some industry leaders claim to have purged their supply chains of these chemicals, while others choose not to address the issue. As a result, consumers have to question the safety of flame-retardants, which have been linked to cancer, neurological problems, and impaired fertility.
Further, these flame-retardant chemicals are known to be linked to decreased fertility. Studies have shown that women who have a higher level of these chemicals in their bodies are less likely to conceive and carry a child to term. Despite this, the study was still too small to draw any definitive conclusions about the effects of these chemicals on fertility. Ultimately, however, the study results are encouraging for the environment and consumers.