"Flame Retardant in Furniture Poses Danger, Duke Study Shows"

"Indications are growing that some of the most comfortable resting places in your home – your couch, your bed’s mattress – could be a health hazard.

A study by Duke University and the Washington, D.C.-based Environmental Working Group found evidence of exposure to a potentially harmful fire retardant in the urine samples of all 22 mothers and 26 children tested. On average, the children had nearly five times more than their mothers of a chemical formed when the fire retardant, TDCPP, breaks down in the body.

TDCPP – a primary focus among the chemicals studied – is often present in the foam used to make sofas, pillows, mattresses and carpet padding, among other household items. California has declared TDCPP a cancer-causing agent and includes warnings on all products using it and selected other chemicals. The Consumer Product Safety Commission lists TDCPP as a probable human carcinogen."

Reid Creager reports for the Charlotte Observer September 21, 2014.