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# Breaking: New study by EWG and Duke finds toxic fire retardants in mothers – and even more in toddlers
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/toxic_fire_retardants_in_mothers_0807140902/
- Published: 2014-08-07T09:59:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T16:16:09.000Z
- Description: EWG and Duke University scientists found a breakdown product of the cancer-causing fire retardant TDCIPP in all 22 mothers and 26 children tested, with children averaging nearly five times the mothers' levels. EWG lists steps for limiting exposure from furniture and baby products.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Environment, Health News, #vivvo-import

**Breaking: New study by EWG and Duke finds toxic fire retardants in mothers – and even more in toddlers**

Dear Readers,

In the first study to investigate children’s exposure to six fire retardant chemicals, **scientists from EWG and Duke University have found evidence of exposure to a cancer-causing fire retardant, TDCIPP, in the bodies of all 22 mothers and 26 children tested.**

The children had an average of nearly five times as much as the mothers of a chemical formed when TDCIPP breaks down in the body. In the most extreme case, a child had *23 times* the level measured in the mother.

Because fire retardants are in many consumer products such as furniture cushions and are nearly impossible to avoid completely, **we put together this list of tips to help you and your family limit your exposure:**

- **Do your homework before buying baby products.** Many kinds of baby products have been exempted from regulations that prompted companies to add fire retardants. But some manufacturers still use these chemicals. Find out before you buy and choose products that don’t contain any fire retardants.
- **When buying a new couch, choose one made without fire retardants.**New regulations make it much easier for furniture manufacturers to sell products that have not been saturated with chemical fire retardants. There is no easy way to tell which is which. Contact the manufacturer to ask if these chemicals are in its furniture.
- **Want to reupholster your couch? Replace the foam too.** If you are planning to reupholster your couch, consider replacing the foam at the same time. The old foam likely contains fire retardants. Ask your upholstery shop to find retardant-free polyurethane foam.
- **Inspect foam cushioning for damage.** Make sure cushion covers are intact, since exposed foam can cause fire retardant chemicals to leach out more quickly. Items like car seats and mattress pads should always be completely encased in protective fabric.
- **Use a vacuum fitted with a HEPA filter.** These vacuums are more efficient at trapping small particles and will likely remove more contaminants and allergens from your home. High efficiency "HEPA-filter" air cleaners may reduce particle-bound contaminants in your house.
- **Be careful when removing old carpeting.** The padding is typically made of scrap foam that contains fire retardants. Old carpet padding can become somewhat pulverized by the time it is exposed for replacement. Isolate the work area from the rest of your home.

Even though progress is being made, the results of the EWG-Duke study are extremely troubling. That’s why EWG is working hard to create a future in which American families are not exposed to harmful fire retardants every day. **But we need your help.**

[**Take action today: Sign EWG’s petition to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Tell its leaders you want national furniture flammability standards that do not encourage or require fire retardants. Because your health and your family’s health is too important.**](http://action.ewg.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=zLrnsvU5YHt%2F8ZhL%2FMJNzEQ7nT4TRA3L&ref=foodconsumer.org)

Thank you for standing with us.

\- Environmental Working Group

[Contribute](http://action.ewg.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=txCjFAb8L3oDCzuajHjnfEQ7nT4TRA3L&ref=foodconsumer.org)