Projects

California Technical Bulletin 604 is a pending flammability standard for filled bed clothing, including comforters, mattress pads and pillows. There is no requirement for health or environmental information about the chemicals and materials to be used. We are conducting an education and advocacy campaign to postpone TB604 until a current fire safety benefit is demonstrated and the chemicals and materials most likely to be used are proven to be safe.

Firefighters have significantly elevated rates of multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, prostate, and testicular cancer. These four types of cancer can be related to exposure to dioxins and/or furans.

GSP is working with epidemiologists to monitor exposure levels and health of populations in the U.S. and in China that are highly exposed to flame retardant chemicals (furniture and foam workers, carpet cushion installers and recyclers, and flight attendants) and their children for neurological and reproductive problems predicted from animal studies.

Killer whales and many other marine mammals are contaminated with toxic flame retardants. GSP is providing information about the pollution of marine mammals to concerned citizens and scientists for take action to protect our marine mammals by reducing toxics in products.

Energy efficient insulation materials found in green buildings often contain toxic flame retardant chemicals. The Green Science Policy Institute is working with a team of green architects, builders, planners, chemists, and the Healthy Building Network to promote alternatives to flame retardants in building insulation and to include reduction of toxics in assigning LEED points.