Eliminating Flame Retardant Chemicals In The Child Care .

Eliminating FlameRetardant Chemicalsin theChild Care SettingPresented by: Alvaro Palacios Casanova

Overall Learning Goals:3To be able to understand and communicate: The harmful effects of flame retardant chemicalson vulnerable populations Ways to reduce human exposure to FRs How to identify safer productsOur goal is that by the end of the workshop youwill have the tools you need to confidently sharethis information with your community.

Flame Retardants and Health Effects4Learning Goals: Understand environmentaland public health effects of flame retardants

Toxic Substances Control Act(TSCA) (1976)Most Chemicals in the U.S. are Not Regulated62,000 chemicals in commerce “grandfathered” EPA has regulated only five chemicals2,000 new chemicals enter market each year No environmental or health data required85% lack data on chemical health effectsBurden of proof on EPA to prove chemical isharmful

Regrettable Substitutions?XKid’s PJsBrominated TrisMUTAGENKid’s PJsChlorinated TrisMUTAGENXFurniture, baby productsFiremaster 550OBESITY, ANXIETY?XFurniture, baby productsPentaBDETOXICITYXFurniture, baby productsChlorinated TrisCARCINOGENFurniture, baby productsPhosphatesTOXICITY?

What is a Flame Retardant?7 Flame retardants are chemicals that resist or inhibit thespread of fire.

Flame Retardants8Long history of health & environmental problemsDozens of flame retardants currently in useMost are untested

Flame Retardants:Lack of Fire Safety Benefit No significant difference in fire growth betweenfoam with flame retardants formulated to pass TB117 and untreated foam.Source: U.S. Dept. of Commerce, National Bureau of Standards. Chairs with flame retardant foam offered nosignificant difference than those without FRtreated foam.Source: CPSC, 2012.

Impacts of Flame Retardants Persistent Carcinogens Bioaccumulative Mutagens Toxic ReproductiveToxicants

Flame Retardants Are EverywhereSlide courtesy of Green Science Policy Institute

Health Effects of Flame RetardantsNeurodevelopmental EffectsDecreased memory and learningReduced IQHyperactivityDiabetesCancerEndocrine System DisruptionObesityChemicals that mimic estrogenAlters thyroid hormoneReproductive ToxicantDecreased fertilityDecreased birth weightDecreased sperm quality

How are Adults Exposed? Inhalation oringestion ofcontaminated dustparticles Ingestion from food,especially meat anddairy

Occupational Exposures Fire Fighters/FirstRespondersFRC ManufacturingWorkersFoam Workers(manufacturers,installers and recyclers)

Children Are Not “Little Adults”15

Routes of Exposure for Children

Children Highly Exposed17 More time spent indoors: (typically more pollutedthan outdoor environments)Physically in contact with many productstreated with flame retardantsFrequent hand-to-mouth behaviorPlaying on the floor close tocontaminated dust

Measured Levels Of Certain FRs In hingtona,CanadaDCAFrom: Zota et al., 2007 ISEA annual meeting.Silent Spring 0GDust Concentration (μg/g)4

Children vs. Adult OccupationalExposure LevelsAdultsChildren (aged 2-5)Median PBDE concentration in serum (ng/g lipid)200180Occupational exposures (foam workers)160140120100806040200U.S.CaliforniaSlide Courtesy of Dr. Ami Zota

Disproportionate ImpactsLow-income, minoritycommunitiesZota A. et al. 2008 Environmental Science & Technology; Quirós-Alcalá L. et al. 2011 Environment International;Yuang et al. 2010 Chemosphere; Whitehead T. et al. 2012 13th Workshop on Brominated Flame Retardants

Toxic Gases May Make FiresLess (kg/kg)Source: Chandra Jayakody, et al. J. Fire Sciences, Vol. 18, pp 430-455, 2000

Study of FRs in Child Care Settings(Bradman et al)22 Found in 100% of dust samplescollected.Generally low in air samplesFacilities with foam nap matshad significantly higher levels ofa cancer causing FR,In 51% of facilities FR doseestimates for children 6 yearsexceeded “No Significant RiskLevels (NSRLs)” for carcinogensBradman et al: 2

CEH Nap Mat Study23 22 of 24 foam containingnap mats had been treatedwith at least one flameretardant chemical (FRC)19 of 24 nap mats treatedwith 2 or more FRC’s9 mats containedchlorinated Tris,a cancer-causing chemical

CEH Nap Mat Studies Over Time24Percent of Flame Retardants Found in Nap Mats OverTimePercentage of Nap Mats with Flame 0.20%0.10%0.00%20132014Year of Nap Mat Study2015

Reducing Exposure to FRCs25Learning Goal: Understand how to reducechildren’s and adult’s exposure to FRCs

Reduce Exposure26 Wash your hands and children’s handsfrequently, especially before eating Vacuum with a HEPA filter Mop to minimize dust Repair torn covers or exposed foam Remove shoes before entering the home Open a window regularly for fresh air Wash hands after touching dryer lint orchanging vacuum bag

Reupholster or ReplaceCushionsAsk for flame retardant-free foam when:Reupholstering: Prolongs lifeReduces wasteorReplacing cushions: Can remove vast majority of FRsCost 45- 95 per cushion27

Where are Flame Retardants Found?28Learning Objective: Understand the sourcesof flame retardants in home, work andchildcare environments.

Where are flame retardants?29Children’s foam products (e.g): nap mats car seats changing pads infant walkers crib wedges gym mats foam crib mattresses rockers

Where else are the chemicals?30 building insulationcarpet paddingdraperiesfatty foodsfoam furniturehousehold dustdryer lint

Furniture Standards31Learning Goal: Understand the maindifference between TB 117 and TB 117-2013 How do you know if a product is free of flameretardant chemicals? – SB 1019

32List of Excluded Products fromFlammability Standard Infant walkers, booster seats, infant seats, changingpads, floor play mats, highchairs, highchair pads,infant swings, bassinets, infant bouncers, nursingpads, play yards, playpen side pads, and portablehook-on chairs. Legacy products still on shelf! Infant carriers, nursing pillows and strollersexempted (12/2010)

Avoid these Products33 Avoidpolyurethanefoam Avoidproducts withTB 117 label

Flame Retardant Disclosure BillSB 1019 (Leno)34 Require manufacturersto label products as towhether they containor do not containflame retardantchemicals.

Labeling Requirements35Courtesy o f the San Francisco Department of Environment

Prefer these Products36 Cotton, Down, Wooland Wood Products with labels:“Does not ContainFlame RetardantChemicals”***Baby products are notrequired to have anyflammability label.X

Action!37Learning goal: Ways organizations andproviders can take action on this issue:Educate providers, parents, and your electedofficial.

SB 763 (Leno)38 Would require manufactures to label foamcontaining children’s products as to whether theydo or do not contain flame retardant chemicalsPassed the senate and assembly with bipartisansupport.Bill was gutted by Appropriations Committee, willgo back to legislature in 2016.

What We Want YOU to Do39 Implement methods to reduce exposure Prefer FR free products Take inventory of products and develop areplacement plan FR-free products Patch foam products with tears

What We Want YOU to Do40 Educate childcare providers and parents regardingthis issue and ways to reduce exposure Newsletters, wo

CEH Nap Mat Study 23 22 of 24 foam containing nap mats had been treated with at least one flame retardant chemical (FRC) 19 of 24 nap mats treated with 2 or more FRC’s 9 mats contained chlorinated Tris, a cancer-causing chemical