Rising Concerns Over Flame Retardants in Upholstered Furniture and Their Health Risks

For many decades, individuals across California—and indeed the entire United States—have been exposed to potentially harmful flame-retardant chemicals incorporated into upholstered furniture. This practice originated from a brief but impactful 1970s California law requiring furniture to meet specific flammability standards. Professor David Volz from the University of California, Riverside, has extensively studied how these chemicals escape into indoor environments, settling in household dust and contaminating indoor air.

In his recent publication in Environmental Science and Technology, Volz traces the history of flame retardants in furniture and emphasizes the urgent need for regulatory reforms to eliminate the use of harmful chemicals altogether. He highlights that these chemicals, used as additives rather than bonded components, gradually migrate out of furniture over time. This migration leads to inhalation or ingestion, raising serious health concerns.

Chemical compounds like penta-BDEs were once common, but they have been linked to cancer, reproductive issues, and endocrine disruption due to their high persistence in the environment. Although these specific chemicals have been phased out, replacements—such as organophosphate-based flame retardants—are still in use. While these newer substances tend to be less persistent, they are not entirely safe, and their presence is still detectable in indoor spaces.

Interestingly, studies, including one by the Consumer Product Safety Commission from about 15 years ago, reveal that chemically treated furniture does not significantly reduce fire risk compared to untreated pieces. Instead, a simple physical barrier, such as a layer of non-flammable material between the foam and the fabric, effectively prevents ignition from smoldering fires.

The origins of the current regulatory framework stem from a 1972 amendment requiring fire safety standards for furniture in California. This law unintentionally led to widespread use of flame retardants, with manufacturers applying these chemicals across the country. Even recent updates, like California’s 2013 and 2018 standards, which opted for safer alternatives like barriers and limited flame retardant concentrations, still have loopholes. Notably, California’s upcoming ban on fiberglass fire barriers in 2027 could push manufacturers to revert to chemical-based solutions unless stricter policies are implemented.

Professor Volz advocates for legislative changes to ban the use of flame-retardant chemicals entirely in upholstered furniture, regardless of concentration. Such regulation would incentivize the adoption of safer, non-chemical fire barriers already available, such as those made from aramid fibers or silica-enhanced materials. The transition faces hurdles, including cost and design considerations, but the technology exists.

Failing to act before the 2027 deadline risks reversing recent progress, potentially increasing indoor chemical contamination and health risks nationwide. Since California's standards often influence federal policies, these changes could have wider implications. Addressing the regulatory gaps is crucial to reducing exposure to hazardous chemicals and protecting public health.

This overview is based on research by David C. Volz, Environmental Science & Technology, 2025. More information can be found here.