Flame retardants

Flame retardants are a group of chemicals made up of several classes of other chemicals. Manufacturers add them to products such as foam, plastics, textiles, and others to meet flammability standards. Some of these chemicals pose health risks as well as impacts on the environment.

We work with the Washington State Department of Health, along with industry and environmental stakeholders, to identify and phase out flame retardants in Washington.

Our work began by evaluating polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), a type of flame retardant. Since then, we have investigated others and also searched for replacements for PBDEs.

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What are flame retardants?

Flame retardants are a group of chemicals made up of several classes of chemicals, each with diverse chemical and physical properties that influence their effectiveness and use in consumer products.

Flame retardants characteristics, including that they bioaccumulate, not all are toxic, and taking preventative measures works.

Some flame retardants bioaccumulate, which can harm species at the top of the food chain.
Not all flame retardants are the same, only some are known to be concerning for our health.
With changes in regulation, flame retardants aren't required or used in certain products anymore.
Taking preventative measures works to reduce your exposure.

What is the purpose of flame retardants and what products contain them?

Manufacturers add flame retardants to foam, plastics, textiles, and other products to meet flammability standards. They are intended to slow the spread of a fire and allow for additional escape time. Many products such as car seats, recreational foam (like what's found in gyms), electronics, tents, and building insulation can contain flame retardants.

Typical consumer products that can contain flame retardant chemicals, such as tents, older upholstered furniture, and foam.

Keeping your home and family healthy: Reduce your exposure to flame retardants. Click to go to publication 21-04-026. — Reduce your exposure to flame retardants

In the past, products like upholstered furniture and some children’s products were often made with materials that contained flame retardants. However, since flammability standards have changed, flame retardants are no longer needed.

How do flame retardants affect health and the environment?

Studies show PBDEs and other flame retardants have been escaping from products and accumulating in people and the environment. PBDEs are found in:

Human bodies: Breast milk, blood, fat
Homes: Household dust, indoor air
Food: Beef, dairy products
Environment: Fish, wildlife, birds, and sediments

The potential health effects from exposure to flame retardants include:

Cancer
Endocrine and reproductive effects
Neurological and developmental disorders

Consumer products that children are exposed to, like electronics and older furniture, are of higher concern.

How can you reduce your exposure to flame retardants?

Read our tips on Keeping Your Home and Family Healthy: Reduce Your Exposure to Flame Retardants to learn how to reduce your exposure in your home:

Purchase products without flame retardants
Vacuum and dust frequently
Wash your hands right after vacuuming or dusting

How are we taking action against flame retardants?

Manufacturers voluntarily agreed to stop producing two kinds of PBDEs (Penta-BDE and Octa-BDE) by the end of 2004. Washington was the first state to ban a third kind of PBDE (Deca-BDE). Manufacturers of Deca-BDE agreed to stop producing, importing, and selling it by 2012 in the U.S.

Before the 2011 ban went into effect, we and the Department of Health performed an alternatives assessment to identify a safer and technically feasible alternative that met fire safety standards. In 2016, Washington banned five other flame retardants in children’s products and residential furniture.

Currently, flame retardants are considered priority chemicals under Safer Products for Washington.

2020 — Safer Products for Washington lists recreational polyurethane foam and electronic enclosures as priority consumer products containing flame retardants for further research and potential regulation.

2019 — Washington passes the Pollution Prevention for Healthy People and Puget Sound Act, listing flame retardants as priority chemicals under the first cycle of Safer Products for Washington.

2018 — Our study of flame retardants in children’s tents, play tunnels, and upholstered chairs finds that manufacturers moved away from using flame retardants in children’s upholstered furniture, but still used them in play tents and tunnels.

2017 — We determine the six flame retardants the Legislature tasked us and Department of Health to review should be added to the Chemicals of High Concern to Children.

2016 — Washington Legislature:

Amends the Children’s Safe Products Act to ban five flame retardants from use in children’s products and residential furniture.
Directs us and Department of Health to further evaluate six flame retardants, and prepare a report with recommendations as well as stakeholder input.

2015 — We release a Report to the Legislature about flame retardants in children's products.

2014 — Our study finds that, while manufacturers moved away from using flame retardants in general consumer and children's products sold in Washington, alternative flame retardants were used.

2008 — Washington bans the sale of products containing PBDEs.

2006 — We finalize a chemical action plan for PBDEs.

Chemical action plan recommendations

The chemical action plan for PBDEs recommends prohibiting their use in specific products, which the Legislature passed in 2008. Our 2015 report to the Legislature added further recommendations:

Restrict the use of eight flame retardants commonly used in children's products and furniture
Restrict the use of TBBPA and HBCD in textiles used in children's products and furniture
Require manufacturers report their use of all flame retardant chemicals used in consumer products

Contact information

Cheryl Niemi
Senior Toxics Reduction Planner
cheryl.niemi@ecy.wa.gov
360-338-2913

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