(Seattle, WA) A new report released today by the Washington State Department of Ecology provides more support for the legislature to act on the Toxic-Free Kids and Families Act (HB 1174/SB 5684), which bans certain toxic flame retardants in kids’ products and furniture. The report, requested by the Legislature, recommends the Legislature restrict the use of certain toxic flame retardants in kids’ products and furniture.
“This report makes it very clear that our kids are being exposed to a soup of harmful flame retardants in the home that don’t provide a fire safety benefit,” said Laurie Valeriano, Executive Director of Washington Toxics Coalition. “It provides new urgency for the Legislature to act by giving the toxics control agency the ability to ban these harmful chemicals.”
Ecology’s report cites health concerns about the chemicals, evidence the chemicals escape from the products into homes, and the availability of safer alternatives as reasons the chemicals should be banned.
Specifically the report says:
- Sufficient evidence exists to support enacting restrictions on the use of ten flame retardants in children’s products and furniture that contain polyurethane foam and fabric.
- Each of these chemicals is toxic and there is potential for exposure. In many cases, exposures can already be documented in people and the environment.
- Many have been found in children’s products and in furniture as well as in house dust. Many are produced in high volumes.
- Chemical flame retardants are not needed at all for children’s products and most furniture applications.
- Safer alternatives are available.