Blumenthal Applauds U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Decision to Begin Rulemaking to Ban Toxic Flame Retardant Organohalogen in Consumer Products

[WASHINGTON, DC] — Today U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, Data Security, and Insurance applauded the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) announcement of definitive steps toward protecting consumers from the hazards posed by flame retardant organohalogens.

“This long-overdue move by the CPSC is a critical step towards making our homes, schools, and offices safer places for our families and first responders,” said Blumenthal. “Having long called for the CPSC to take action to end unnecessary exposure to dangerous flame retardant chemicals, I applaud today's decision. I look forward to a swift rule-making process that fully recognizes the extreme health hazards posed by these flame retardant chemicals, and comprehensively bans these toxic organohalogens wherever they may appear -- from upholstered furniture and mobile phones, to children’s clothing.”

In 2014, Blumenthal highlighted the dangers of these flame retardant chemicals in a letter calling on the CPSC to ban organohalogens from upholstered furniture, and establish a nationwide flammability standard that acknowledges smoking materials as the leading cause of furniture fire deaths.

The CPSC directed staff to begin the rulemaking process to ban the sale of four categories of consumer products containing organohalogen flame retardant. Additionally, the CPSC voted to issue a strongly worded guidance warning the public of the hazards posed by this class of flame retardants in children’s products, mattresses, electronic casings and furniture. Finally, the CPSC voted to convene a Chronic Hazard Advisory Panel (CHAP) to provide scientific expertise to the CPSC's staff as it proceeds to develop the rules called for today by the CPSC.

This class of chemicals has long been associated with serious human health problems, including cancer, reduced sperm count, increased time to pregnancy, decreased IQ in children, impaired memory, learning deficits, hyperactivity, hormone disruption and lowered immunity. They pose especially significant risks to developing children and firefighters, who encounter the chemicals in their most toxic form as they burn.