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Green Science Policy Institute
The Green Science Policy Institute provides unbiased scientific data to government, industry, and non-governmental organizations to facilitate more informed decision-making about chemicals used in consumer products. We are currently focusing on reducing the use of organohalogen flame retardants due to their adverse impacts on human and environmental health and our extensive experience in this area.
Chlorinated Tris listed as a carcinogen at last
On October 12th, California’s Carcinogen Identification Committee voted 5-1 to add TDCPP (chlorinated Tris) to the Proposition 65 list of cancer-causing chemicals. Chlorinated Tris, the same chemical removed from use in baby pajamas in 1977 due to concerns about carcinogenicity, is the most commonly used flame retardant in foam in U.S. furniture and baby products, according to recent studies. This action does not ban chlorinated Tris but it will require warning labels on the products that contain it.
“California lists flame retardant as a carcinogen”, Los Angeles Times
“Calif. adds flame retardant to list of carcinogens”, Greenwire
New Research
In a new peer-reviewed study, Flame Retardants in Furniture Foam: Benefits and Risks, Vytenis Babrauskas, Arlene Blum, Rebecca Daley, and Linda Birnbaum found that California's furniture flammability standard Technical Bulletin 117 does not provide measurable fire safety benefits.
View Paper
Read the Consumer Reports Blog
Similar findings on the lack of fire safety benefits as well as current information about health and environmental hazards of halogenated flame retardants are documented in the comprehensive review
Halogenated Flame Retardants in Humans and the Environment: Do the Fire Safety Benefits Justify the Hazards?
Flame Retardant Chemicals in Baby Products
In a paper published on line on May 18, 2011 in Environmental Science & Technology, Heather Stapleton and colleagues found that 80% of baby products tested contained toxic or untested flame retardant chemicals. View paper
NY Times Article: Chemical Suspected in Cancer Is in Baby Products>
SF Chronicle Article: Most baby products contain toxic chemicals>
See CBS evening news coverage of 18 May 2011
CNN, 18 May 2011: Toxic chemicals found in baby products
UC Berkeley Press Release: Toxic flame retardants found
Video Introduction
Featured Events
Friday, February 10, 2012 - 08:30 - 16:00
150 University Hall, UC Berkeley, 2199 Addison Street, Berkeley
Safe Kids Campaign
Learn About Flame Retardants in Baby Products
Flame Retardants in Pets
Chemical flame retardants found in the blood of dogs at concentrations five to 10 times higher than in humans, and in cats at levels 20 to 100 times higher.
Are there Toxics in your Home? Participate in our Foam Study
Find out if there are flame retardants in your couch and other home products
San Antonio Statement
The San Antonio Statement documents health hazards and lack of proven fire safety benefit from the use of brominated and chlorinated flame retardants in consumer products.
Sign on to the San Antonio Statement
View statement, signatories and supplemental material
Featured Op-eds
Flame Retardants are the Asbestos of our Time
The Sacramento Bee Op-ed
Opinion: Sitting Safely and Comfortably in California
Capitol Weekly Op-ed
Mobilizing scientists, industry, government and consumers to reduce toxics
