Washington State report on flame retardants
Washington State has published a report reviewing information on flame retardants, following a 2014 State legislature mandate. The report concludes that “All halogenated flame retardants evaluated to date exhibit toxicity. Types of toxicity associated with known halogenated flame retardants include endocrine and reproductive effects, carcinogenicity, and neurological and developmental disorders”.
Two brominated FRs (TBBPA and HBCD) are flagged in the report summary as having possible significant health risks (TBBPA: moderate carcinogenicity and breakdown to bisphenol A; HBCD: possible liver, thyroid, reproductive and development effects). The PIN FRs ammonium polyphosphate, polyphosphate and magnesium hydroxide are flagged as safer alternatives. The report recommends restricting the use of ten flame retardants in children’s products and in furniture (unless chemically reacted into the product): 8 halogenated FRs (TDCPP, TCPP, TBPH, V6, TCEP, TBB, TBBPA and HBCD and two phenyl phosphates (TPP and iPTPP). The report underlines that further study is needed to assess the availability of safer alternatives.
“Flame Retardants – A Report to the Legislature”, State of Washington Department of Ecology, December 2014, publication n° 14-04-047 https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/publications/SummaryPages/1404047.html