Harmful Flame Retardants Pervasive in U.S. Child Care Facilities

Flame retardants present a hazardous danger to small children that come in contact with the toxic materials. Many child care facilities throughout the U.S. are exposing young tots to the harmful chemicals that are used to keep furniture from catching fire.

According to a University of California â€" Berkeley news release, children can spend in upwards of 50 hours a week in daycare facilities.

The hidden dangers of flame retardants are brought to light in new study
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A team of researchers conducted a study and examined 40 different child care centers from various locations including “urban, rural and agricultural areas.” In total, 1,760 children were in attendance at these facilities, according to the news release.

Although the quality of air in the majority of the establishments contained a minimal amount of the chemical concentration, strong evidence of flame retardants were discovered in 100 percent of the dust samples collected at the various child care centers.

Exposure to the toxic chemicals could result in detrimental health effects since it has been linked to hormone disruption and lowered IQs in children.

“These findings underscore how widespread these materials are in indoor environments,” study lead author Asa Bradman, associate director of the Center for Children’s Environmental Health Research at UC Berkeley, said in the news release. “A growing body of research has found links between flame retardants and a range of human health effects, including neurodevelopmental delays in children. Children are more vulnerable to the health effects of environmental contaminants, so we should be particularly careful to reduce their exposure to harmful chemicals.”

The equipment used for taking naps seems to play a key role regarding the presence of these toxic chemicals. The facilities that utilized foam napping pads, as opposed to the upholstered pads, were found to contain higher concentrations of the flame retardant chemicals.

In 2006, the state of California placed a ban on two types of polybrominated biphenyl ethers, or PBDEs, considered to be of high risk danger. Older furniture, however, still contains the harmful chemical, which California now lists as a carcinogen.

“I remember learning about the tris phosphate flame retardants in kids’ pajamas when I was in high school 35 years ago, so it’s a bit surprising to still be seeing them today,” Bradman said. “They were never banned. There seems to have been a resurgence in recent years as manufacturers looked for PBDE replacements.”

The foam napping pads received harsh scrutiny this year by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control, after it deemed sleeping mats that contained flame retardant materials to be detrimentally harmful to consumers.

Changes at the state level regarding flammability regulations, could be advantageous. Such action could  eliminate the presence of  flame retardants, not only in furniture, but in other items as as well.

“The new standard is not a ban on flame retardants, but manufacturers can meet it without using the chemicals,” Arlene Blum, a postdoctoral researcher, said in the news release. “Most upholstered fabrics, such as leather, are already smolder-proof. Consumers should verify that the furniture they are buying is free of flame retardants, especially when children will be exposed.”

Presently a small, but growing number of child care facilities are becoming proactive in the products they use and are encouraging “green” and “eco-healthy” certification and standards, said Ellen Dektar, senior management analyst with Alameda County’s Early Care and Education Planning Council.

“Child care professionals are really idealistic and would do anything for the children they’re taking care of,” she said.

Harmful Flame Retardants Pervasive in U.S. Child Care Facilities