A 10‑year peer‑reviewed California study found that removing furniture made with chemical flame retardants sharply lowers blood concentrations of those toxins — levels fell about four times faster after removal and were halved on average within 1.4 years. Foam used in many pieces made between 1975 and 2015 commonly contained these compounds, which are linked to cancer, neurodevelopmental harm and thyroid problems. Replacing furniture or cushions, wet‑dusting and using a HEPA vacuum can reduce household exposure.
Throw Out Old Flame‑Retardant Furniture — Blood Levels Of Toxic Chemicals Fall Dramatically, 10‑Year Study Finds
An old discarded couch in Brooklyn, New York, on 24 February 2021.Photograph: James Andrews/Getty Images/iStockphoto
A decade‑long, peer‑reviewed study led by California public health regulators and environmental groups found that removing older furniture treated with chemical flame retardants significantly reduces concentrations of those toxins in people’s blood.
To my mind, that's a pretty dramatic change, and it shows how you can effect change and improve public health with a regulation. — Arlene Blum, Green Science Policy Institute
What The Study Found
Researchers followed dozens of participants for 10 years, measuring flame‑retardant chemicals in blood and household dust. They reported that blood concentrations of these compounds fell about four times faster among people who discarded contaminated furniture compared with those who kept it. On average, levels were reduced by roughly half within 1.4 years of removing the furniture.
Why This Matters
Many foam‑filled couches, chairs and other upholstered items manufactured between roughly 1975 and 2015 contained a variety of chemical flame retardants. These compounds can migrate out of foam, accumulate in household dust and enter the body through inhalation, hand‑to‑mouth contact and ingestion.
These flame retardants have been linked in multiple studies to serious health problems, including cancer, neurotoxicity, thyroid disorders, preterm birth, reduced fertility, impaired motor skills and lower IQ in children. Young children are particularly vulnerable because they spend more time on floors and put their hands in their mouths.
Policy And Industry Changes
After years of pressure, California revised its furniture flammability standard in 2015 to remove the prior requirement that effectively encouraged the use of chemical flame retardants. Subsequent state and federal actions — including further restrictions adopted by Congress in 2020 — helped drive the industry away from many of these compounds. As older items are discarded, population‑level blood concentrations are likely declining.
How To Reduce Exposure At Home
- Replace furniture made between 1975 and 2015 when possible; if buying new, look for products labeled free of added flame retardants.
- Consider replacing foam cushions rather than whole pieces as a cost‑effective alternative.
- If replacement isn’t feasible, reduce dust: wet‑dust surfaces, vacuum with a HEPA filter, and wash hands regularly—especially before eating.
- Repair or seal worn foam and cushions to limit particle release, and keep floors and soft surfaces clean.
The study underscores that individual actions, supported by regulation, can measurably lower toxic exposures and improve public health.
