Toxic Flame Retardant Chemicals - Not Necessary for Fire Safety, says Californians for Toxic Free Fire Safety

SACRAMENTO, Calif., March 26, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, the Bureau of Electronic and Appliance Repair, Home Furnishings and Thermal Insulation (BEARHFTI) held a public hearing to hear comments on a new furniture flammability rule, replacing an outdated regulation that has caused global chemical contamination with chemicals linked to lower IQs in children, infertility and cancer.

"There's no reason to delay improved fire safety without toxic chemicals," comments Ana Mascareñas, Physicians for Social Responsibility – Los Angeles. "As health professionals, we see the rise in diseases associated with toxic chemical exposure, and it's our responsibility to speak out and prevent these exposures."

Arlene Blum PhD, with Green Science Policy Institute says, "Such great news that California is at last updating its 1975 flammability standard. The new standard is a win-win for both fire safety and our health and environment."

"Firefighters are at a greater risk from these chemicals," says Jim Doucette of the Firefighters Burn Institute. "We know these chemicals make fires more toxic, create more soot and smoke, which are the major causes of injury and death in fires with fire victims and first responders."

"TB 117-2013 will help stop the flow of toxic flame retardant chemicals into our products, homes and bodies," says Judy Levin from Center for Environmental Health. "We expect the process of adopting this new rule to proceed without delay."

"Latino children in California have among the highest levels of flame retardant chemicals in the world. I'm worried about my daughter's exposure. Our children's health should not come second to industry profits," said Kathryn Alcantar, with Californians for a Healthy & Green Economy.

"Biomonitoring studies demonstrate that everyone on earth carries toxic or untested chemicals in their bodies that don't belong there," said Davis Baltz of Commonweal.  "Flame retardants found in California furniture are global pollutants."

"States are watching to see if California updates it's outdated regulation which has resulted in unnecessary toxic retardant in communities nationwide. We look to California Governor Jerry Brown to stick with his new standard," comments Sarah Doll, with SAFERSTATES.

Gretchen Lee Salter, with Breast Cancer Fund, says, "Toxic flame retardants can alter normal breast development, setting a child on a path for increased breast cancer risk. We urge the state to swiftly adopt this new standard so California families aren't exposed to these chemicals."

http://www.toxicfreefiresafety.org/CaliforniansForToxicFreeFireSafety.php

SOURCE Californians For Toxic Free Fire Safety