Last year, New York became the first state to ban chlorinated Tris, a common flame retardant, from children’s products.  A similar bill has been introduced in 25 other states across the country, and just recently, we have AB 354 introduced at the Nevada Legislature by Assemblywoman Olivia Diaz.

I urge you to read everything you can on Tris, BPA and other chemicals of concern but in the meantime, here are a few facts to consider:

• Tris is a carcinogen that was removed from children’s sleepwear in 1979.  However, due to restrictions that currently prevent the EPA from banning any chemical outright, Tris is still found in polyeurethane foam used in many children’s products, nap mats that are used in daycares and schools all over the country.
• Tris and other similar flame retardants are found in couches, upholstered chairs and other common household items.
• Tris can escape from foam and attach to household dust, where infants and toddlers are particularly likely to inhale or ingest it.
• Toxic flame retardants are not any more effective at preventing household fires than other, less toxic methods.  In fact, a long investigative study by the Chicago Tribune proved that experts testifying to the necessity for these flame retardants lied under oath.
• TDCPP (chlorinated Tris) has been linked to infertility and cancer.
• The federal law which regulates the use of toxic chemicals in everyday products, the Toxic Substances Control Act, was created in 1976.  Under the TSCA, manufacturers do not have to reveal the chemicals in their products, the burden of proof rests on the EPA not the manufacturer, and it is virtually impossible to ban any single chemical outright.  This law has not been update in over 40 years.