Thanks to a “whack-a-mole” approach to chemical policy, newer flame retardants escaping from TV’s, children’s car seats and couches appear just as hazardous to humans as the ones they replaced, according to a new study. The new generation retardants, known as organophosphate flame retardants, or OPFRs, can also be found in carpet padding, gym mats, and electronics and other products. New flame retardants just as toxic to humans as old ones, but found at even higher concentrations: studyThe researchers reviewed more than 100 scientific papers on flame retardants, comparing the older class against the ones they were swapped out for. But Diamond and her colleagues said the newer flame retardants are a “regrettable substitution” for the old. Flame retardants lower the combustion temperature, “so rather than something going up in flames it will smoulder,” she said.

Source: National Post October 22, 2019 03:56 UTC