New Study Finds 85% of American Sofas Tested Contain Toxic Chemicals, News Release 11/28/2012
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Phone: (907) 222-7714; Fax: (907) 222-7715
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 28, 2012
New Study Finds 85% of American Sofas Tested Contain Toxic Chemicals
Cancer Causing Chemicals Found in Couches, Homes
November 28th, 2012 – Anchorage, AK
A new peer-reviewed study released today tested over 100 couch samples from across the U.S. and found that 85% contained toxic or untested flame retardant chemicals. This includes 41% of the couches testing positive for the cancer-causing chlorinated Tris, which was banned from children’s pajamas decades ago.
The study, published in Environmental Science and Technology, emphasizes the failures of inadequate federal laws on toxic chemicals. Weak federal laws have allowed toxic chemicals like flame retardants on to the market with limited health and safety information required. The study also shows an increase in the use of flame retardants in newer couches, despite no data demonstrating fire safety benefit from the use of such chemicals.
Lead scientist Heather Stapleton, PhD, from Duke University found that even though other toxic flame retardant chemicals containing polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are banned, that the flame retardant chemical industry is marketing a chemical linked to cancer as a replacement. Stapleton conducted an earlier study that revealed that African American and Latino toddlers have higher levels of the banned flame retardant chemicals PBDEs in dust on their hands than white toddlers.
“We know that persistent banned flame retardant chemicals drift North on wind and water because we find them in our traditional foods and even in our own bodies,” says Vi Waghiyi, a Yupik mother and grandmother from St. Lawrence Island in Arctic Alaska. Vi works on international treaties to halt toxic exposure. “Now, we have another study telling us what we already know: rising rates of cancer and other illness in our communities are linked to chemical exposure from products in our homes as well as other sources. The suffering is preventable, and we need to urgently stop toxic chemical exposure.”
“Many couches end up in landfills, which are usually placed in or near historic communities of color,” explains Michele Roberts from the Environmental Health & Justice Alliance. “The banned flame retardant chemicals leach into the soil, air, and water of those communities and contribute to the higher impact of chemical exposures on people of color. The new flame retardant chemicals may also be dangerous to health. We need overarching federal reform of the Toxic Substances Control Act to prevent these exposures.”
In response to concerns about health effects of flame retardant chemicals, more than a dozen states have passed or pending laws on restricting the use of these chemicals.
The Safe Chemicals Act, a law championed by Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), passed the Environment and Public Works Committee this summer, has 29 co-sponsors and awaits a vote on the full Senate floor.
Available for Interviews
Vi Waghiyi, Environmental Health and Justice Program Director, vi @ akaction.org, Alaska Community Action on Toxics. 907.222.7714, Vi can speak to the shocking chemical test results of the St. Lawrence Island, Alaska traditional foods and human health bio-monitoring results of Alaska native people.
Sarah Doll, SAFER National Director, [email protected], 503-522-6110, www.saferstates.org
Scientific Resources
- Silent Spring Institute Press Release: Many Toxic Flame Retardants Found in Household Dust, Some at Levels Above Health Guidelines
- Silent Spring Institute Tip Sheet: 5 Tips to Reduce Toxic Flame Retardants at Home
Related News Articles
Lee, Stephanie. “Chemicals in furniture hard to avoid.” San Francisco Chronicle, November 28, 2012
Alaska Environmental Justice & Scientific Resources
- Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP). 2009. AMAP Assessment 2009: Human Health in the Arctic, p. 93. Available: www.amap.no [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][Accessed 31 December 2009].
- Schecter A, Pavuk M, Papke O, Ryan JJ et al.2003. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in U.S. mother’s milk. Environmental Health Perspectives 111(14): 1723-1729.
- Mazdai A, et al. 2003. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in maternal and fetal blood samples, Environmental Health Perspectives 111(9): 1249-1252.
- Ikonomou MG, Rayne S, Addision RF. 2002. Exponential increases of the brominated flame retardants, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, in the Canadian Arctic from 1981 to 2000. Environmental Science & Technology 36(6):1886-1892.
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