Organohalogen Flame Retardants Used in Consumer Products Cannot Be Assessed for Hazards as a Single Class, But Can Be Assessed in Subclasses, Says New Report

Since the 1970s, flame retardants have been added to materials to meet flammability standards. However, some flame retardants have migrated out of products, causing environmental contamination and damage to human health. A new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine offers guidance to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission on how to conduct a hazard assessment of flame retardants. Dr. Jennifer Freeman, Associate Professor in the School of Health Sciences and convener for C4E’s Chemical Exposures signature research area, served on the Committee to Develop a Scoping Plan to Assess the Hazards of Organohalogen Flame Retardants.