"Gov. Jerry Brown urged state regulators Monday to reduce the prevalence of chemical flame retardants in household furniture, joining a growing number of critics who argue the chemicals are toxic and unnecessary."
"'Toxic flame retardants are found in everything from high chairs to couches and a growing body of evidence suggests that these chemicals harm human health and the environment,' the Democratic governor said in a prepared statement. 'We must find better ways to meet fire safety standards by reducing and eliminating – wherever possible – dangerous chemicals.'
The directive follows the defeat last year of legislation that would have let furniture manufacturers avoid using chemical flame retardants in their products by providing an alternative test for meeting state fire prevention standards."
David Siders reports for the Sacramento Bee June 19, 2012.
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