Article 18: Everyday Exposure to Toxic Pollutants
Topic: Exposure to Toxins
Author: Brett Israel and Environmental Health News
Date: 2/8/13
California dropped a requirement that has led to widespread use of flame
retardants in U.S. couches and other furniture. The current standard required that foam used in furniture cushions must withstand an open flame. As a result, manufactures used chemicals to the foam to slow the spread of flames. Under the direction of Gov. Jerry Brown, a state agency released a new draft rule on Friday morning that will eliminate the open-flame test. Instead, state officials say they will require a smolder-only test, which manufacturers could meet without flame retardants while still preventing fires. The exposure to chemicals has been a concern because of the negative health effects and other neurological effects. Chemical companies have said that flame retardants are safe and that they are necessary to prevent dangerous fires from igniting furniture.
I decided to choose this article because it is interesting to know how we expose ourselves to toxins everyday without being aware of it. We all have furnitures that are fire retardant but we do not think about the reason why it is not likely to burn: because of chemicals used to withstand an open flame. I have become more aware about the toxins in my surroundings as I learn more about it. Daily exposure to chemicals without awareness can eventually affect our health and well-being.
Author: Brett Israel and Environmental Health News
Date: 2/8/13
California dropped a requirement that has led to widespread use of flame
retardants in U.S. couches and other furniture. The current standard required that foam used in furniture cushions must withstand an open flame. As a result, manufactures used chemicals to the foam to slow the spread of flames. Under the direction of Gov. Jerry Brown, a state agency released a new draft rule on Friday morning that will eliminate the open-flame test. Instead, state officials say they will require a smolder-only test, which manufacturers could meet without flame retardants while still preventing fires. The exposure to chemicals has been a concern because of the negative health effects and other neurological effects. Chemical companies have said that flame retardants are safe and that they are necessary to prevent dangerous fires from igniting furniture.
I decided to choose this article because it is interesting to know how we expose ourselves to toxins everyday without being aware of it. We all have furnitures that are fire retardant but we do not think about the reason why it is not likely to burn: because of chemicals used to withstand an open flame. I have become more aware about the toxins in my surroundings as I learn more about it. Daily exposure to chemicals without awareness can eventually affect our health and well-being.