Environmental Toxins: California Law Seeks to Ban Furniture Foam

A new California law looks to change the way in which flame-retardant foam is made for upholstered furniture sold in California. Mark Leno, a California state representative, has introduced legislation that would ban the use of halogenated flame retardants in products such as furniture and mattresses. Mounting evidence suggests that halogenated compounds accumulate and remain in the environment. Andy Counts, the CEO of the American Home Furnishings Alliance, says that many flame retardant compounds "have been coming under increasing scrutiny as carcinogens and environmental toxins and have been banned or restricted in Europe. California has been expected to address these chemicals, and other states are considering similar measures.”

California Proposes Flame Retardant Foam Regulation

The Environmental Protection Agency, in conjunction with Great Lakes Chemical Co., took penta-bromodiphenyl ether, another widely used flame retardant, off the market. Research into less toxic flame retardants has been ongoing. Counts said that “we will urge the EPA to revisit this project in light of the new legislation so that non-halogenated alternatives can be evaluated.”