Flame Retardant: What They Are, How They Work, and What You Need to Know

When you buy a couch, a baby car seat, or even your laptop, you might not think about what’s inside it—until you learn it contains a flame retardant, chemicals added to materials to slow or prevent the spread of fire. Also known as fire retardants, these substances are everywhere in modern homes and electronics, but their long-term effects on health and the environment are still being studied.

Flame retardants aren’t one thing—they’re a whole group of chemicals, including brominated, chlorinated, and phosphorus-based compounds. Some, like PBDEs, were banned years ago because they stuck around in the body and the environment, linked to hormone disruption and developmental issues. Others, like TDCPP and TCEP, are still used in furniture and insulation, even though studies show they can leach into dust and end up in kids’ blood. You don’t need to set something on fire to be exposed—just touching a couch or breathing dust from an old TV can mean contact.

These chemicals don’t just show up in household items. They’re in baby products, carpets, curtains, and even some clothing. Manufacturers add them to meet fire safety standards, but those rules don’t always match real-world risks. For example, many foam-filled items catch fire slowly anyway, and the chemicals may do more harm than good. Newer alternatives, like mineral-based or bio-based flame retardants, are being tested—but they’re not yet common. What’s clear is that if you’re worried, you can reduce exposure: wash hands often, vacuum with a HEPA filter, and choose products labeled as free from added flame retardants.

Some of the posts here dig into how these chemicals interact with the body—like how certain medications might affect toxin processing, or how inflammation from long-term exposure could link to other health issues. Others compare safer alternatives in everyday products, showing what’s actually available and what’s just marketing. You won’t find a single fix, but you will find real examples of what works, what doesn’t, and what to look for when you’re trying to make safer choices without overhauling your whole home.