Toxic Flame Retardants in Breast Milk
Unregulated toxic chemicals called bromophenols are building up in people
This study reveals unregulated toxic chemicals are building up in people. Testing of breast milk finds unregulated flame retardants for the first time, while banned substances are decreasing.
Breast milk is considered the best food for babies. But research has found that harmful chemicals from industry and consumer products can contaminate breast milk, exposing babies at a vulnerable life stage. Now, this study authored by Toxic-Free Future, Emory University, and Seattle Children’s Research Institute has found toxic flame retardants in the breast milk of U.S. moms. Companies continue to use hormone-disrupting flame retardants in products like televisions despite research showing these chemicals build up in people. But some states and retailers are taking action to move to safer solutions.
From the Experts
“Our results show that when we prohibit the use of persistent toxic chemicals like PBDEs, we make breast milk safer for babies. But it’s disturbing to find that the replacement chemicals are now building up in breast milk. I hope we can learn our lesson this time and put policies in place that address the entire class and make sure chemicals used in products are known to be safe.”
Erika Schreder
Study co-author and science director with Toxic-Free Future
“It’s concerning to find flame retardants in breast milk that can disrupt hormones and affect children’s brain development. This study is the first one to find harmful flame retardants called bromophenols in breast milk in the U.S. They’ve already been found to affect key thyroid hormones during fetal development, and now we know that infants are exposed through breast milk.”
Dr. Amina Salamova
Assistant Professor at Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health
“While we know that flame retardant chemicals may be harmful, it is important to remember that breast milk provides significant benefits to newborn and child health. Breast milk is still best for newborns.”
Dr. Sheela Sathyanarayana
Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Washington and Seattle Children’s Research Institute
“Our communities deserve safe products that don’t cause cancer or pollute our baby’s first food. This is why I’m especially proud that Washington is leading the nation with its prevention-focused law regulating toxic chemicals in products. Banning toxic chemicals like flame retardants in TVs will result in more protections for people and less harm to our health.”
Rep. Beth Doglio
Washington Representative, 22nd Legislative District
“Retailers have the power to drive these unnecessary toxic chemicals out of product. Best Buy has already shown leadership by restricting these chemicals in their own brand televisions. But more action is needed to prevent these plastic chemicals from contaminating breast milk and impacting babies. That’s why today we are launching a new national petition calling on Best Buy to take the next steps and eliminate these dangerous chemicals from other products it sells and ensure the substitutes are truly safe.”
Mike Schade
Director of Mind the Store, Toxic-Free Future
“Hazards associated with several kinds of flame retardants are well known. What’s critical is to not only regulate their use, but to actually identify substances that are tested and verified as safer for human health and the environment. It’s vital that we drive a market shift toward safer options as the mainstream choice.”
Clare Hobby
Director, Purchaser Engagement, Global for TCO Certified
Featured in
Research Series: Toxic-Free Future breast milk studies
Across five published studies, Toxic-Free Future research has detected endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), PFAS, toxic flame retardants, quaternary ammonium compounds, and other chemicals in breast milk samples from 50 women.
The findings point to widespread exposure from everyday products and materials, and reinforce the need for stronger policies and safer solutions that prevent harmful chemicals from getting into people in the first place.
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals in breast milk (2026)
This 2026 peer-reviewed study by Toxic-Free Future, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, and Emory University found bisphenols, melamine, and triclosan in breast milk samples from women in the United States. The findings point to widespread exposure from plastics and everyday products, and underscore the need to prevent harmful chemicals from getting into people in the first place.
Toxic flame retardants in breast milk (2023)
This 2023 peer-reviewed study by Toxic-Free Future, Emory University, and Seattle Children’s Research Institute found toxic flame retardants in the breast milk of U.S. mothers. The study found unregulated flame retardants in breast milk for the first time, while levels of banned flame retardants are decreasing, showing both the need for stronger safeguards and the impact of policy action.
Quats in breast milk (2022)
This first-of-its-kind 2022 study by Toxic-Free Future, Indiana University, and Seattle Children’s Research Institute found quats, the active chemicals in many disinfectant cleaners, frequently detected in breast milk. The findings raise concerns about exposure to chemicals widely used in cleaning and disinfecting products.
PFAS in breast milk (2021)
This 2021 study, the first since 2004 to analyze PFAS in breast milk from mothers in the United States, found PFAS in all 50 breast milk samples tested. The findings showed that these persistent “forever chemicals” are getting into people during vulnerable life stages and reinforced the need to phase out PFAS in products.
Organophosphate plasticizers and flame retardants in breast milk (2021)
This 2021 peer-reviewed study by Toxic-Free Future and partners found organophosphate esters, chemicals used as plasticizers and flame retardants, in breast milk. The findings showed that breastfeeding can be an important exposure pathway for infants and added to concerns about chemicals commonly found in indoor environments and consumer products.
