Flame retardants and i.q.
Children are more at risk to this seemingly unknown threat in the disguise of a safety precaution, due to the fact that they spend more time closer to the floor. The link between flame retardants and early age neurological issues (lowered I.Q. by 4 points) has been heavily researched. Flame retardants found in furniture can collect and turn into dust that any child can inhale. Further research hints at damage to the thyroid system of infants that come into contact with PBDEs. This issue however, is no easy fix. California law states that the furniture must pass a 12 second test of not igniting when exposed to small flames. What can be done is for parents to have their kids wash their hands to avoid ingestion, and replace old furniture and carpets.
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The idea of flame retardant furniture is a good one, but not at the cost of the health of children's minds. I look forward to seeing how California legislature will handle the revision of the flame test law. This article opened my eyes even more to seemingly helpful features in modern housing that turn out to be detrimental. Having fire resistance in the house is still a good precautionary measure, but only if it is done in a non-harmful way. Modern technology grants us access to new and improved methods of disaster prevention, and I'm sure the same can be done for our furniture in order to preserve the young minds of today so that they can grow into smart, healthy adults in the future.