HEALTH AT HOME

85% of Couches Contain Cancer-Contributing Toxins

But without them, your home would be less fireproof

Nov 28, 2012 by Dain Fitzgerald

Staff Writer t

That chump change occasionally lost between the cushions of your couch could be the least of your furniture related troubles.

CNN reports that nearly all the couches sold in the US contain flame retardant chemicals that can contribute to everything from neurological disorders and cancer to low birth weights reproductive problems. A recent study found that 85% of typical household couches contained such chemicals, with the accompanying report stating that they can also be found in other widely used products, such as car seats, utilizing polyurethane foam.

The American Chemistry Council, however, warns against undue concern over the chemicals, and not merely because flame retardants serve the obvious good of making material less susceptible to house fires.

"Flame retardants...are designed to prevent fires from starting and provide valuable escape time," stated the council. "There is no data in this study that indicate that the levels of flame retardants found would cause any human health problems."

Via CNN.

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Comments (view in Forum)

Nov '12

Keyjo

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I think I'll opt for the flame retardant. I'm not too concerned with a minute amount of toxin.
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Nov '12

Cheenoguy

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I avoid the chemicals I can but as much as I don't want cancer I really don't want to be a burn victim.
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Nov '12

SavageMazx

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85% of life contains cancer contributing toxins.....
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Nov '12

CanisCanemEdit

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95% if you are a Republican or a Democrat. ;D
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Nov '12

woodtick57

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Guess i should stop doing bong rips off of my couch cushion stuffing...
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Nov '12

Fishbone345

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Most clever comment on the thread thus far. ;)
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Nov '12

kirbstomp1

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Puff puff...pass it here
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Nov '12

martydotcom

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"there is no data to support.......will cause any problem."
NEXT
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Nov '12

twinertia

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I KNEW that damned thing was uncomfortable for SOME reason.....
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Nov '12

FFX_VA

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So that's what causes couch potato spuds!!...all this time I thought it was laziness and a lousy diet. I just need a new sofa!
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Nov '12

mimi57

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Yes, just wear a mask and don't light a match..you'll be fine. lol ( :
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Nov '12

mimi57

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Oh, and have an escape plan, one for your dog too!
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Nov '12

FFX_VA

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@mimi57 It's always the dog's fault, always, even when she's outside ; ))
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Nov '12

Penn1699

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@mimi57 two thumbs up!
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Dec '12

Barbi_Schukofs

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I voted your statement up, because the sarcastic comedic side of me got a giggle out of it, although, I for one believe the government allows way too many toxins to enter into our homes. We live in a very toxic country, the food industry has gotten to such a point that it could be considered the governments chemical warfare distribution point. Yes, I am insinuating that our government has long been committing chemical warfare on iit's own people. Many suffer diseases or neurological damage because of the over use of toxins and the government allows it; hell, they endorse it.
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Nov '12

Thunderchicken

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I'm in the 15%.
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Nov '12

DARSB

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I think I'd rather have fire PROOF furniture. Fire RETARDANT sounds like you'd just be on fire longer.
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Nov '12

classychazy

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Lmao!!!
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Nov '12

Kptpredsfan

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It's almost as if there are pros and cons to every decision in human life.............
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Nov '12

mudzangandoro

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A new twist to the term "couch potatoes".
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Nov '12

DARSB

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"Couch baked potatoes"
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Nov '12

Zoe2012

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No, I am more concerned with the 69% of Ohio voters without a high school diploma who voted for Obama!
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Nov '12

Dan_Tien

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"CNN reports that nearly all the couches sold in the US contain flame retardant chemicals that can contribute to everything from neurological disorders and cancer to low birth weights reproductive problems."

"There is no data in this study that indicate that the levels of flame retardants found would cause any human health problems."

Maybe that is because that particular data is in other studies:

• Halogenated flame retardants are chemical compounds containing chlorine or bromine bonded to carbon.
• They are used in commercial and consumer products to meet flammability requirements.
• Many are persistent, bio-accumulative and toxic.
• Their value in preventing fires is questionable.
• The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) has banned 21 chemicals, all are halogenated.

Related Structures. PBDEs, used primarily as flame retardants in furniture, are structurally similar to the known human toxicants PBBs, PCBs, dioxins, and furans. In addition to having similar mechanisms of toxicity in animal studies, they also bio-accumulate and persist in both humans and animals.
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Nov '12

jessejaymes

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Why does this not surprise me?
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Nov '12

bsking

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well then couple this with the seizures brought on by video game systems and that would account for some spikes in Medicaid costs
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Nov '12

thejimbo

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So instead of just being a figurative couch potato, your couch will turn you into a real potato!
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Nov '12

RICKKY

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Name me anything, food, water, furniture just anything that DOESN'T... you can't do it!!.
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Nov '12

Zoe2012

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No, but if you are, do like the 69% of people in Ohio without a high school diploma who voted for Obama, put it on your front porch!
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Nov '12

DARSB

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Where would the 55% of Ohio post grad degree holders who voted for the President put their couches?
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Nov '12

Zoe2012

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@DARSB On their porch!
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Nov '12

DARSB

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@Zoe2012 They only have one porch?:-)
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Nov '12

JLowe817

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No
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Nov '12

Romney2012

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Show me statistics and I might be!
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Nov '12

VeryLameduck

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We should be more concerned with cell phones causing brain tumors. That's being hidden like cigarette smoking was in the 1950's.
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