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Most People Are Now Flame Retardant

Story at-a-glance -

By Dr. Mercola

In 1973, the U.S. government passed a law requiring that all children's
sleepwear must be fire resistant. Legislators may have believed they
were preserving public health, believing such laws help keep citizens
safe. But, to borrow a phrase, the medicine is sometimes worse than the
disease.

Here's why: Fewer than five years later, scientists discovered that the
chemical used to make those flame-retardant fabrics — brominated Tris —
was responsible for rising incidences of cancer. Brominated Tris was
then banned in kids' pajamas.

By 1977, other chemicals were being used to render such articles as
baby toys, clothing,carpeting, sofas, draperies and even crib mattresses flame resistant. Growing
realization that the chemicals were causing even more health problems
led to widespread concern. Consumer Reports noted:

"In 2004, such concerns led to one of the most commonly used
flame-retardant mixtures, called pentaBDE, being voluntarily
phased out after it was linked to health problems and was
detected in alarming levels in people's bodies. Many
manufacturers began to use organophosphates in their place."

But a new, comprehensive study led by Duke University revealed that two flame-retardant chemicals in a class called are showing up in peoples' urine. Worse, the two most commonly used
organophosphates, TDCIPP and TPHP, have risen steadily in urine samples
collected between 2002 and 2015.

Experts say the reason this is an issue is because these substances
cause not just cancer, but fertility problems, hormonal changes,
thyroid regulation, neurological disorders and endocrine disruption.

Exposure to Flame-Retardant Chemicals Can Occur Several Ways

One reason organophosphates are so insidious is because they can be
breathed in, swallowed and absorbed through your skin, and accumulate in your fatty tissue, but they also

"More than 90 percent of the 857 adults and children in the
Duke-led study had two commonly used organophosphates, TDCIPP
and TPHP, in their urine. On average, the levels of one of the
chemicals, TDCIPP, were 17 times higher in adults in 2015 than
they were in 2002."

Organophosphates are used as both flame retardants and pesticides,
although different organophosphates are typically used for each
purpose. They do, however, share structural similarities. According to
National Geographic:

"Organophosphates attack the nervous system in the same way as
nerve agents like sarin … [and] are so toxic to humans that the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken steps to
limit their availability to the public."

Why Are Toxic Flame Retardants Still Being Used?

Heather M. Stapleton, associate professor of environmental ethics and
sustainable environmental management at Duke University and one of the
study authors, noted:

"We know from animal testing that there are a variety of toxic
outcomes associated with exposure to these chemicals at high
concentrations … It's a very controversial topic.

We're using large volumes of these chemicals in furniture, yet
the data suggesting they're effective in preventing fires is
minimal to none."

Robin Dodson, an air pollution researcher at the Silent Spring
Institute in Newton, Massachusetts, said "We've known that TDCIPP is a
bad actor for a long time, yet it continues to be used."

More than a few scientists as well as consumer groups think the public
is being exposed to toxic flame-retardant chemicals unnecessarily, and
wonder if the benefits outweigh the risks, and, more specifically, if
there are any benefits at all.

Science Times notes that many are incorrectly tested for safety, and likely don't provide fire security benefits as many might expect.

Increasing numbers of state legislators are taking action against flame
retardants.

For instance, Washington state lawmakers have already prohibited the
use of certain flame-retardant chemicals (including polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEs) in children's products and furniture, but manufacturers simply replaced them with even more toxic alternatives.

How Do Organophosphate Chemicals Harm People and Animals?

Age and exposure are mitigating factors in the risks posed by
organophosphates, as younger, weaker people aren't able to eliminate
the toxins from their systems. In addition, as noted by the
Environmental Working Group (EWG):

"Flame retardants can build up more in the bodies of younger
children than in older kids or adults because they breathe in
more air and are exposed to more dust particles relative to
their body weight than adults.

The chemicals, widely used to treat upholstered furniture and
even cushioning in baby products, can escape and accumulate in
household air, and in dust on floors where toddlers and babies
play. Children's frequent hand-to-mouth activity can also
increase their exposure."

Needless to say, bioaccumulation of flame retardants can have serious
health consequences over the course of a lifetime, although health
problems may not be readily attributable to day-to-day chemical
exposure.

As mentioned, human and animal studies have linked organophosphate
flame retardants to cancer, hormonal changes and problems with
fertility.

What You Can Do

You can do everything possible to rid your home of furniture,
mattresses, clothing, food containers and other items that may contain
flame-retardant chemicals, but given their widespread use, this is
difficult and may be impractical.

Further, if you ever step out of the house, personal and environmental
hazards will likely be out there, somewhere. There are steps you can
take to limit your exposure, however: