FLAME
RETARDANTS IN OUR BUILDINGS AND FURNITURE MAY ALSO RETARD LIFE - MORE STUDIES OF THE EFFECTS ARE NEEDED
The flame retardants used in foam insulation, children’s
furniture and elsewhere, are a diverse group of chemicals that may cause a wide
array of health problems. Cancer,
obesity, reduced fertility, and hormone disruption are just a few of the
problems that have been linked to exposure to these flame retardants. And this
list is likely to be incomplete. None of the chemicals used as flame retardants
have been comprehensively tested and there are large gaps in our knowledge
about the toxicity of these chemicals.
The Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance’S product named: Closed or
open cell, medium-density SPF insulation contains at least four (4) percent (or
40,000 ppm) of TCPP flame retardant.
There are studies that show that some of the TCDD is leaching inside our
homes and other buildings where this flame retardant has been used.
Additional testing found four flame retardants (or flame
retardant mixtures) in the children’s furniture. Details about health hazards
associated with the flame retardants we found include the following:
• Firemaster
550 caused obesity and disrupted normal hormone function in tests with
laboratory animals and tests with living cells.
• TCPP
caused genetic damage in studies of human cells. In tests with laboratory
animals, TCPP changed the length of the menstrual cycle.
• TDCPP
(chlorinated Tris) is identified as a cancer-causing chemical by the
state of California and the U.S. National Research Council. In laboratory
animals, it is toxic to developing embryos and also causes genetic damage in
studies of human cells. In men attending infertility clinics, exposure to TDCPP was linked with changes
in hormone levels.
• Butylated
Triphenyl Phosphate: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has
summarized the limited toxicology testing done with this flame retardant
mixture. Health concerns identified in the EPA summary include decreased
fertility and abnormal menstrual cycles.
Particularly concerning is the ability of these chemicals to
disrupt the normal functions of our hormones. Hormones are chemical messengers
that work together in a system that “regulates all biological processes in the
body from conception through adulthood and into old age.” Hormones are potent
in tiny amounts, and research over the last several decades has shown,
similarly, that “low-dose effects are remarkably common” in studies of
hormone-disrupting chemicals.
CALIFORNIA LAW ADDRESSES
FIRE RETARDANTS IN HOMES
In late 2013, a measure signed into law by California Gov. Jerry Brown will
require state officials to review California's flammability standards for foam
insulation, and may ultimately reduce the exposure of homeowners to two common
flame retardants.
According to an article posted online at SFGate.com, the state
fire marshal and the Building Standards Commission will review current
flammability standards and consider whether flame retardants are necessary.
The law doesn't amount to an outright ban on the chemicals, but
it could lead to a change in state building standards that "would
discourage the use" of two potentially hazardous retardants, HBCD and
TCPP, the report said.
The measure was supported by the U.S. Green Building Council,
firefighters from around the state, and health advocacy grounds including the
Natural Resources Defense Council, SFGate reported.
CONNECTICUT IS ALSO
AMONG THE STATES CONCERNED ABOUT THE HEALTH EFFECTS OF FLAME RETARDANTS
We provide below the information that part of a proposed law in
Connecticut to ban the use of flame retardants in children’s furniture after
October 1, 2014.
Facts and Recommendations on Chlorinated Tris
5218, An Act Concerning
Toxic Fire Retardants in Children’s Products. H.B. 5218 would ban the
manufacturing, sale or distribution of any children’s products containing Tris
flame retardants (TCEP, TDCPP and TCPP) in the State of Connecticut after
October 1, 2014. This act would protect the health of children in Connecticut
by further reducing their exposure to Tris flame retardants.
Background
Tris flame retardants are a family of chemically similar flame
retardants which include TDCPP, commonly known as chlorinated Tris, and similar
chemicals known as TCEP, and TCPP. [1]. Tris flame retardants have been found
in household dust and air as well as in water supplies [3]. Chlorinated Tris
(TDCPP) is the most frequently detected of the Tris flame retardants and is
used in many baby products and household furniture [1]. The chemical was banned
from use in children’s clothing in 1977 after it was found by the U.S. Consumer
Products Safety Commission to be a potential carcinogen in laboratory studies
[1]. The chemical is still widely used in many baby products such as changing
table pads, sleep positioners, portable mattresses, baby carriers, rocking
chairs, high chairs and home furnishings. Due to its chemical makeup, chlorinated
Tris escapes from the foam padding in these products and settles in household
dust, thus exposing children and adults through inhalation or ingestion [3].
Children are especially prone to exposure through crawling or placing hands in
their mouths.
In 2006, the Consumer Product and Safety Commission found that
chlorinated Tris (TDCPP) poses a threat to human health, designating the
chemical as a probable carcinogen [5]. No human studies have been conducted;
however, animal studies have demonstrated multiple health effects such as
increased incidence of liver, renal, testicular, and adrenal tumors after
exposure to chlorinated Tris (TDCPP) [3]. Chlorinated Tris (TDCPP) has been
shown to be a neurotoxin to brain cells in animal studies—animals exposed to chlorinated
Tris were noted to have decreased memory, learning deficits, altered motor
behavior and hyperactivity [4].
TCEP and TCPP are also Tris chemicals of concern. TCEP is used
in foam padding and has been found in household dust and hospital air and has
been found widely in surface water and streams [1]. Animal research also
suggests that TCEP has the potential to negatively affect hormone levels and
semen quality including sperm count, motility and morphology in humans [6]. It
is classified as a carcinogen by California and a chemical of “very high
concern” by the European Union [1,7,8]. Likewise, the Tris chemical TCPP, which
has been used as a replacement for chlorinated Tris since the 1960s, is
chemically similar to the other Tris chemicals, yet there is very little
research on this chemical, and no research demonstrating its safety in
children’s products [1]. TCPP is found widely in indoor dust and in the
environment [1].
Each of the Tris flame retardants are used extensively in
children’s products and home furniture with 10 to 50 million pounds each of
chlorinated Tris and TCPP used in the United States each year [1]. The use of
Tris flame retardants is legal and unrestricted in the United States although
individual states are beginning to place bans on them. California has
recognized chlorinated Tris (TDCPP) as a carcinogen and placed the chemical on
its Proposition 65 list in 2011 [1, 8]. TCEP was identified as a substance of
very high concern by the European Chemicals Agency in 2009 [7] while Canada has
identified Tris flame retardants as a risk to human health in any dose and a
ban on several Tris chemicals is currently being considered [11]. Maryland and
Washington are also considering bans on the chemical during this legislative
session and New York signed a ban into law in 2011.
Recommendations
CPHA supports H.B. 5218, An Act Concerning Toxic Fire
Retardants in Children’s Products. Scientific research shows that Tris flame
retardants pose real health risks to humans and animals. Due to the routes of
exposure to Tris flame retardants (ingestion, inhalation) children are more
vulnerable to the toxic effects of the chemical. Other states and countries
have recognized the toxicity of these chemicals and have taken steps to protect
their citizens. With an absence of federal action on chemical reform,
Connecticut needs to continue to be a leader in chemical reform and ban Tris
flame retardants in consumer products.
Prepared by Jennifer Allis-Vazquez, BSN RN CPTC, CPHA Advocacy
Intern
February 29, 2012
For additional information on CPHA’s position on Tris flame
retardants or other public health issues, please contact CPHA Advocacy Chair,
Colleen O’Connor, at caoconnor24@hotmail.com or Noele Kidney, Project Coordinator
at noelekidney@hotmail.com.
References:
1. Washington Toxics Coalition (2012). Hidden Hazards in the
Nursery. Retrieved February 23, 2012 from
http://watoxics.org/files/hidden-hazards-in-the-nursery.
2. Blum, Arlene (2011). Flame Retardants in Buildings,
Toxicity, and Implications for Occupant Health. Retrieved January 11, 2012 from
www.greensciencepolicy.org.
3. Faust, JB and August, LM, California Environmental
Protection Agency (2011). Evidence on the Carcinogenity of Tris
(1,3-Dichloro-2-Propyl) Phosphate. Retrieved January 11, 2012 from http://oehha.ca.gov/prop65/hazard_ident/pdf_zip/TDCPP070811.pdf.
4. Dishaw LV, Powers CM, Ryde IT, Roberts SC, Seidler FJ,
Slotkin TA, Stapleton HM. (2011). Is the PentaBDE Replacement, tris
(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCPP), a developmental neurotoxicant?
Studies in PC12 cells. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology.
5. Babich, MA (2006). CPSC Staff Preliminary Risk Assessment of
Flame Retardant Chemicals in Upholstered Furniture Foam. U.S. Consumer Product
Safety Commission.
6. Inchem (1998). United Nations Environmental Programme
International Labour Organisation. World Health Organization: International
Programme on Chemical Safety, Environmental Health Criteria 209 Flame
Retardants: Tris (chloropropyl) phosphate and Tris-(2-chloroethyl) phosphate.
Geneva.
7. European Chemicals Agency. 2009. Support Document for
Identification of Tris (2-chloroethyl) phosphate as a Substance of Very High
Concern because of its CMR Properties.
8. California Environmental Protection Agency. 2011. Chemicals
Known to the State to Cause Cancer or Reproductive Toxicity. OEHHA. Retrieved
from: www.oehha.ca.gov/prop65/prop65_list/files/P65single072911.pdf.
9. Shaw SD, Blum A, Weber R, Kannan K., Rich D, Lucas D,
Koshland CP, Dobraca D, Hanson S, Birnbaum LS. 2010. Halogenated Flame
Retardants: Do the Fire Safety Benefits Justify the Risks? Reviews on
Environmental Health (25): 261-305.
10. Matthews, H. B., S. L. Eustis, et al. (1993).
"Toxicity and carcinogenicity of chronic exposure to
Tris(2-chloroethyl)phosphate." Fundam Appl Toxicol 20(4): 477-485.
11. Environment Canada (2009). Screening Assessment for the
Challenge Ethanol, 2-chloro- phosphate (3:1) (Tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate
[TCEP]), Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number 115-96-8. Retrieved from http://www.ec.gc.ca/ese-ees/default.asp?lang=En&xml=C378778A-D834-54E0-7F69-E6E2944A74FC.
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