Furniture Flame Retardancy Partnership: Environmental Profiles of Chemical Flame-Retardant Alternatives for Low-Density Polyurethane Foam Volume 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Issue

Efforts to improve the fire safety of furniture protect property and save lives. Fires involving ignition of residential upholstered furniture constitute a leading cause of fire deaths and serious injuries associated with consumer products. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission staff, the average annual fire losses for the years 1995-1999 were 460 deaths, 1,110 injuries and $130 million in property damage (CPSC, 2004). Flame retardants delay ignition and have proven to save lives. While benefits achieved through enhanced fire safety are critical, they should be achieved in a manner that minimizes risk to human health and the environment. The work summarized in this report arose from concern over potential human health and environmental impacts from the use of pentabromodiphenyl ether (pentaBDE). This chemical flame retardant has been used in the manufacture of low-density, flexible polyurethane foam for upholstered furniture (residential, business and institutional), mattresses, bedding, carpet underlay and other articles. Studies around the world have found pentaBDE to be widespread in the environment and in human tissues. Recently the use of pentaBDE has been banned in the European Union, and legislation has been passed to restrict its use in Hawaii and California in 2006 (January 1 and June 1, respectively)