Flame retardant use in furniture has stopped but the chemicals in flame retardants still linger in homes. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers have been linked to behavior and learning disabilities, and they are found in flame retardants. Studies have found that if the mother's PBDE levels were high then the children were 4 point IQ deficit, when the mother has a 10 fold increase of PBDE. Scientists have found that PBDEs can distribute themselves in lipids when inhaling PBDEs. They have also been found to be an endocrine disruptor after testing on animals because they trick the body into thinking that they are thyroid hormones and decrease the level of these hormones in the body. Thyroid hormones allow growth and development especially in the brain. This could affect newborn babies if the mother is being exposed to PBDEs and decrease brain development.
Before this article I did not know that flame retardants are harmful to human health. I always thought they were good because they prevent your bed from catching on fire. BPA still lingers in old furniture and the dust from the furniture go on the floor, where babies play and are at high risk of exposure. We should just get new furniture and educate people on the effects of flame retardants, especially to new parents because they will most likely take action ASAP to protect their newborn baby
Before this article I did not know that flame retardants are harmful to human health. I always thought they were good because they prevent your bed from catching on fire. BPA still lingers in old furniture and the dust from the furniture go on the floor, where babies play and are at high risk of exposure. We should just get new furniture and educate people on the effects of flame retardants, especially to new parents because they will most likely take action ASAP to protect their newborn baby