Studies have found that the flame retardants contained in foam fillings in many sofas and cushions can cause cancer, endocrine disorders, low fertility, etc., and also affect the brain development of infants and young children, reduce their IQ and cause hyperactivity.

Many mid-to-high-end furniture stores take fire protection as one of their selling points, and claim that "even if our sofa catches fire, it will be destroyed by itself after a while." The so-called fireproof sofas are mostly soaked with flame retardants. The latest research from Duke University in the United States found that these sofas can increase the risk of thyroid cancer by more than 70%.

Researchers collected sofas purchased from all over the United States between 1985 and 2010. Among these samples, 85% contained flame retardants that are harmful to human health.

Dr. Heather Stampleton, a researcher at Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment, said that the use of flame retardants is closely related to the surge in thyroid cancer cases. Researchers analyzed the dust pollution in the homes of patients with thyroid cancer and performed blood tests on them. It was found that the test patients were exposed to a large number of environments containing high concentrations of flame retardant polybrominated diphenyl ethers. Another flame retardant, trichloroethyl phosphate, was also detected in these patients. Both of these chemicals increase the risk of cancer.

The research also found that the flame retardants contained in foam fillings in many sofas and cushions can cause cancer, endocrine disorders, low fertility, etc., and also affect the brain development of infants and young children, reduce their IQ and cause ADHD. Dr. Stampleton said that the flame retardants in furniture will be released into the home air, enter the human body through objects, food, etc., causing cancer. In addition to sofas, wallpapers, carpets, and mattresses also contain flame retardants. Researchers remind everyone that in addition to paying attention to formaldehyde when buying furniture in the future, you have to ask whether it contains flame retardants. (Source: Life Times)