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California Assembly Passes Bill to Ban Cancer-Causing Fire Retardants in Furniture, Pillows and Comforters
Virtually all Californians tested found to have presence of fire retardants, babies found to have highest levels
By Russell Long, Ph.D.
Vice President
Friends of the Earth
Bluewater Division
The California Furniture Safety and Fire Prevention Act, AB 706, carried by Assemblyman Mark Leno and co-sponsored by Friends of the Earth and MOMS (Making Our Milk Safe), was passed by the California Assembly today by a 46-30 vote. The bill will now go to the State Senate. AB 706 improves fire safety standards by prohibiting the use of cancer-causing brominated and chlorinated fire retardants widely used in furniture. It would also preempt the use of such chemicals in bedding products such as pillows, comforters, and mattresses as a result of new regulations being developed by the state this year.
Studies show that exposure to even the lowest concentrations of these fire retardants can lead to adverse health effects in adults, children, and developing fetuses including cancer, birth defects, autism, hyperactivity, learning disorders such as A.D.H.D, and reproductive and neurological problems.
California is the only state in the nation that requires the use of toxic fire retardants in its furniture. Why are we contaminating our infants and children with these chemicals when safer alternatives are available right now? This bill is a no-brainer.
According to the Environmental Working Group, babies and infants who have been tested have fire retardant levels far higher than their parents. This is due to the fact that they crawl or climb on furniture whose foam has been treated with brominated and chlorinated fire retardants, and ingest dust particles from toys or other items that have been treated with these chemicals. In addition, these fire retardants are increasingly found in breast milk in high levels, which is passed onto babies when nursing. These chemicals are accumulating in humans and the environment at an alarming rate. For example, brominated fire retardants are on average found in U.S. women’s breast milk at levels 40 times greater than they were in the 1970s.
Additionally when burned, brominated and chlorinated fire retardants are converted into dioxin and furans, exposing firefighters to dangerous levels of these toxic and cancer-causing chemicals.
As Judi Cutaia, Captain with the Davis Fire Department said, “When people think about the dangers firefighters face on the job, heat and flames are what comes to mind. But as a firefighter and cancer survivor, I know that the greatest threats we face are more likely to be the countless unseen and potentially deadly toxins that we are exposed to every time we answer a call. Fire retardants save lives, but the price of that safety shouldn’t be the health of the people they are designed to protect.”
In addition, AB 706 will extend the Bureau of Home Furnishings and Thermal Insulation’s authority to take chemical exposure risks into consideration when setting furniture safety standards, and will provide for consumer education labels when brominated or chlorinated fire retardants are used in furniture or bedding materials.
Friends of the Earth www.foe.org is the U.S. voice of an influential, international network of grassroots groups in 70 countries. Since 1969, Friends of the Earth has been at the forefront of high-profile efforts to create a more healthy, just world. Russell Long, Ph.D.is the Vice President of Friends of the Earth, Bluewater Division.
Comments
I want to give my support for the AB 706. I can't understand why these toxic chemicals have been allowed in California. The impacts it causes makes you wonder why these cancer-causing substances are still around.
Please give my support for AB 706.
Thank you.
Posted by: Jeanine Benton at September 10, 2007 08:41 PM
I'm so happy to read this! I am an eco-friendly interior designer in Portland Oregon and I was happy to share this information with others on my eco-friendly blog at http://www.cheryljanisstyle.com/pinkngreen.
Posted by: Cheryl Janis at November 22, 2007 10:56 AM
I'm so happy to read this! I am an eco-friendly interior designer in Portland Oregon and I was happy to share this information with others on my eco-friendly blog at http://www.cheryljanisstyle.com/pinkngreen.
Posted by: Cheryl Janis at November 22, 2007 10:57 AM
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