How to Reduce Your Exposure to Fire Retardant Chemicals

More than likely, chemical fire retardants are here to stay. At least for the foreseeable future. Having said that, you really don't want those chemicals in your body. No, you aren't eating it, you are sitting and walking on it. This article will help you reduce your exposure to it.

1

→ Make a conscious decision to decide that you want to limit your exposure. It will probably need to be a life style change on your part, because those chemicals are everywhere.

2

→ Consider replacing any furniture, beds, carpets, and anything else in your house that was made before 2005. That was when they were removed from the market.

3

→ Use a vacuum cleaner with a Hepa filter. That will keep some of the fibers and toxins from becoming airborne.

4

→ Wash your hands frequently. Don't go all OCD on the subject, just wash them throughout the day. Actually, you should already be doing that.

5

→ Check everything that has polyurethane foam in it for tears or holes. The toxic material can get through the larger holes more efficiently.

→ You are looking for tears, ripped seams, holes, and rotting (as in dry rot).

6

→ Don't reupholster your old foam furniture. Replace it with newer foam if you want to keep the furniture.

7

→ Consider alternatives to flame retardant foam. Leather, wool, and cotton are some good alternatives.

8

→ When getting new furniture and bedding, ask your salesman what types of flame retardant is in their products and understand what their answer is. Avoid products that use brominated fire retardants.

9

→ When replacing any carpet, be sure to wear protective gear, like masks, to be sure that you don't inhale the toxic particles from the removal.