As a firefighter I understand that firefighting is a physically demanding and dangerous profession. As firefighters we understand that we are at of risk of injury from burns, smoke inhalation and structural collapse. Understanding this, fire departments and firefighters go to great lengths to mitigate those risks.
But now we face a more serious threat: Firefighters are now facing much higher rates of job related cancers. What is even more disturbing is that cancer will harm far more firefighters than any of the other hazards we face.
To start reducing exposure to carcinogens from toxic flame retardants found in children’s products and home furniture, legislators in Olympia must give the Department of Ecology the proper authority to adequately regulate the use of the toxic chemical fire retardants. That is why we must all urge our elected leaders in Olympia to support House Bill 1174.
Toxic chemicals are released from fire retardant-treated products when they burn. The protective gear worn by firefighters does not completely protect them from exposure to these toxins. These toxins are not only harmful when inhaled but are also absorbed through the skin as a fire smolders.
In 2014 the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health published a study of 30,000 firefighters who served between 1950 and 2009. The study found that the firefighters studied had increased incidences of cancers.
A major concern with the use of halogenated flame retardants (those made with chlorine or bromine) is the creation of highly toxic compounds when they burn. In addition these same fire retardants are used in many children’s products, from changing pads to car seats. Research has also shown that the toxicity of these chemical fire retardants is an issue even when they do not burn.
Flame retardants have been used heavily in furniture foam to comply with California regulations that required foam to withstand a small open flame. But U.S. government studies show that when actual furniture is tested, flame retardants used in foam don’t provide a fire-safety benefit. California has now changed its regulations to a more sensible standard that requires furniture fabric — the first line of defense — to withstand a smoldering ignition source such as a cigarette. This standard can be met without the use of toxic fire retardants.
Washington state was the first in the nation to ban all forms of the toxic flame retardants known as PBDEs, in 2007. Unfortunately, manufacturers turned to other toxic flame retardants not listed in the legislation. To prevent this problem, HB 1174 would ban the use of five toxic flame retardants and give the state Department of Ecology limited authority to keep new toxic flame retardants out of furniture and children’s products. Our legislators must give the Department of Ecology this limited regulatory flexibility so we can prevent toxic fire retardants from harming our children and firefighters.
Tim Hoover is a Snohomish County firefighter. He lives in Seattle.
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