A groundbreaking ten-year study has delivered a clear and actionable public health message: getting rid of old furniture containing flame retardants can significantly reduce the levels of these toxic chemicals in your bloodstream.
The Dramatic Impact of a Simple Change
The peer-reviewed research, conducted by California regulators and public health groups, followed dozens of people over a decade. It found that levels of flame retardants dropped about four times faster in the blood of participants who removed furniture containing the chemicals, compared to those who did not.
On average, the concentration of these harmful substances in blood was reduced by about half within just 1.4 years. Arlene Blum, director of the Green Science Policy Institute, hailed the finding as a "super big deal." She stated, "To my mind, that's a pretty dramatic change, and it shows how you can effect change and improve public health with a regulation."
A Legacy of Toxicity in Our Homes
Most furniture containing foam manufactured between 1975 and 2015 was treated with a range of flame-retardant chemicals. These substances are linked to severe health issues including:
- Cancer
- Thyroid disease
- Neurotoxicity
- Decreased fertility and pre-term birth
- Deficits in motor skills and a drop in IQ in children
The chemicals do not stay bound to the furniture; they break off and attach to household dust, which is then inhaled or ingested. The study confirmed that homes where old furniture was removed had much lower levels of flame retardants in their dust.
Regulatory Shifts and Practical Safeguards
In 2015, after years of advocacy, California updated its flammability standards, eliminating the requirement for chemical flame retardants in furniture. This was followed by state and federal bans on some of the most dangerous compounds. The furniture industry has now largely moved away from using these chemicals.
For those concerned about older furniture in their homes, experts offer practical advice:
Blum recommends replacing furniture made between 1975 and 2015 with items manufactured before or after that period. A more economical option is to replace just the foam in couch cushions. If neither is feasible, regular dusting and using a vacuum with a HEPA filter can help reduce the amount of flame-retardant dust in the home.
This long-term study provides powerful evidence that regulatory action and informed consumer choices can directly lead to a measurable decrease in exposure to harmful toxins, offering a clearer path to healthier living environments.
