As you’ve probably seen in many of our recent posts, toxic Tris flame retardants are bad news. Exposure to Tris has been linked to cancer, hormone disruption, and nervous system harm. By being mindful with certain purchases, you can try to limit your family’s exposure to these dangerous chemicals and reduce your toxic body burden.
Toxic flame retardants can be carried into the home on/in a number of baby products, fabrics, furniture and carpet materials. Upon entering the home, tris chemicals are slowly dispelled into the air and accumulate in household dust, which is then inhaled or ingested, especially by sticky-fingered children and babies.
So – what can you do to reduce your family’s exposure to toxic flame retardants?
- When shopping for furniture, look for companies who avoid chemical flame retardants and instead use naturally fire-resistant materials
- Avoid all products containing polyurethane foam with a label reading TB117, which means it has likely been treated with toxic flame retardants
- Choose a safer mattress, ideally made without polyurethane foam. Wool is the best option; cotton and latex are runners up.
- Buy nursing pillows, car seats, and baby carriers made without Tris – better brands for baby items include Baby Bjorn, Orbit Baby, and Boppy
- Regularly use a wet mop to clean and remove dust particles and to keep them from being inhaled or ingested
- Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to clean your home
- Wash hands, especially those of little children, often, to keep dust from attaching to food or fingers and being consumed
- Support the Toxic-Free Kids Act, which will protect kids by banning two Tris flame retardants, TCEP and TDCPP, from children’s products
By being mindful with certain purchases, you can try to limit your family’s exposure to these dangerous chemicals and improve your toxic body burden. However, even the most conscientious consumer can’t avoid every toxic chemical—which is why we need the Toxic-Free Kids Act! It will help get us off this toxic treadmill by requiring companies to find safer alternatives for the most worrisome chemicals currently in use in kids’ products. Click here to send a letter to your legislator!
Image courtesy of flickr user ryancboren
