Researchers at Silent Spring Institute have published a new study demonstrating that when people replace their old couch with a new one that has no added flame retardants, levels of the harmful chemicals in household dust drop significantly. The results of the study places emphasis on purchasing safer furniture products, especially in the case of households with children. The findings are published in the journal Environment International.
In modern society, toxins exposure is a serious concern all Americans should be considering. Flame retardants chemicals offer fantastic protection against dangerous situations that are associated with fires, however, they can end up in the air and dust your family breaths. This exposure has been linked to cancer, thyroid disease, fertility issues and other harmful effects.
According to lead author Kathryn Rodgers, a research scientist at Silent Spring Institute, "We've long suspected that couches are a major source of toxic chemicals in dust. Now, for the first time, we have evidence demonstrating the positive impacts of replacing old furniture containing flame retardants."
Image credit: Phillip Goldsberry