Flame retardants
Learn about flame retardants, their potential health risks and how to reduce your exposure.
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About flame retardants
Flame retardants are made up of various types of chemicals and may be found in or applied to products available in Canada. They're used to help prevent items from catching on fire and to limit the spread of fire.
Examples of products that may contain flame retardants include the following:
- household items, such as:
- appliances
- electronics
- cooktop cleaners
- polyurethane foam products, such as:
- mattresses
- pillows and cushions
- upholstered furniture
- children's toys and foam products
They may also be found in construction and renovation products, such as:
- paints and coatings
- lubricants and greases
- spray foam insulation
- construction foam boards
- adhesives, glues and sealants
- foam products used for waterproofing
Many chemicals make their way into our environments from different sources, including from industrial processes and from the products we use, like cosmetics, furniture and electronics. As a result, we're exposed to small amounts of many chemicals, including flame retardants, in our:
- soil
- food
- water
- indoor and outdoor air
Safety of flame retardants
Not all flame retardants pose a risk to our health or the environment at current levels of exposure. However, as a result of recent risk assessments, Canada is proposing that certain flame retardants may pose a health risk.
Under Canada's Chemicals Management Plan, we review and manage the potential risks that chemicals and other substances can pose to people in Canada and to the environment. We're undertaking risk assessments for many flame retardants, including:
- TEP
- IPPP
- TPHP
- BPDP
- IDDP
- TEHP
- BEHP
- TBOEP
- TDBDPB
- BDMEPPP
- Melamine
- TCPP and TDCPP
We've completed the draft assessments for a number of flame retardants. Based on these assessments, we're proposing that the following flame retardants pose a risk to the health of people in Canada:
TPHP
A potential concern for exposure to TPHP was identified from:
- lying on foam-containing mattresses or upholstered furniture
- sitting in infant and child restraint systems (includes car and booster seats)
- skin coming into contact with nail care products, and lubricants and greases
Prolonged skin contact with these products containing TPHP may have effects on people's growth and development.
TBOEP
A potential concern for exposure to TBOEP was identified from:
- lying on foam-containing mattresses or upholstered furniture
- sitting in infant and child restraint systems (includes car and booster seats)
Prolonged skin contact with these products containing TBOEP may have effects on the liver.
IPPP
A potential concern for infants and children was identified from lying on foam-containing mattresses or furniture containing IPPP.
IPPP is associated with reproductive effects and effects on the adrenal glands and the liver. The adrenal glands produce hormones that regulate your stress, metabolism, blood pressure and immune system. The liver secretes hormones to control body chemical functions.
TEP
A potential concern for infants and children was identified from sitting in infant or child restraint seats (or car seats) containing TEP. Lying on foam-containing mattresses or furniture containing TEP also is a potential concern for all age groups.
TEP is associated with effects on the liver.
TCPP
A potential concern for all ages was identified from prolonged skin contact with items such as upholstered furniture, mattresses, mattress toppers and other foam-based products containing TCPP.
TCPP may affect development and the reproductive system.
TDCPP
A potential concern for all ages was identified from prolonged skin contact with items such as upholstered furniture, mattresses, mattress toppers and other foam-based products containing TDCPP.
TDCPP may cause cancer and may also have non-cancer effects on the kidneys and testes.
Melamine
A potential concern was identified from exposure to melamine from:
- cooktop cleaners
- paints and sealants
- foam-containing products, such as:
- mattresses, upholstered furniture, infant and child restraint systems, as well as booster seats
Melamine may cause cancer and affect the urinary and reproductive systems.
We also proposed that IPPP, TPHP, BPDP, BDMEPPP and IDDP may be harmful to the environment.
What we're doing
Our draft assessments are still in progress. We're continuing to evaluate the potential risks posed by these flame retardants before we publish our conclusions. This includes:
- tracking new information on exposures or hazards
- asking the public to comment on our draft assessments and proposed risk management
- reviewing and using this information to help shape our assessments
If the assessments confirm the proposed health findings for IPPP, TEP, TCPP, TDCPP, TPHP, TBOEP and melamine, we will consider:
- taking action to reduce exposures from certain products made with foam, such as:
- mattresses
- mattress toppers
- upholstered furniture
- infant and child restraint systems and booster seats
- other foam-based products where there's prolonged skin contact
- taking action to reduce exposures to melamine from the use of certain paints, sealants and cooktop cleaners
- taking action to reduce exposures to TPHP in lubricants and greases
- listing TPHP as a prohibited or restricted ingredient on the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist to help reduce exposures from certain nail care products
You may provide any comments on our risk management scope during the 60-day public comment period.
In past years, Canada has taken action to limit exposures to other flame retardants that were found to pose health risks. We prohibited the manufacture, import, use and sale of the following products:
- clothing containing tris(2,3-dibromopropyl) phosphate [TRIS] in 1977
- products made with polyurethane foam containing ethanol, 2-chloro-, phosphate (3:1) [TCEP] and intended for children under 3 years of age in 2014
What you can do
You can take steps to reduce your exposure to flame retardants.
- Replace or repair damaged covers on products that contain foam, such as upholstered furniture, mattresses and mattress toppers.
- Read the label and follow the manufacturer's directions for using, storing and disposing the product safely.
- Not all products available to consumers provide a list of ingredients. If you're unsure if your product contains any flame retardants of concern, contact the manufacturer.
If you're exposed to flame retardants at work, talk to your employer and occupational health and safety (OHS) official about:
- relevant laws
- safe handling and storage practices
- requirements under OHS legislation and the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System
Related links
- Melamine
- Melamine and your health
- Chemical risk assessments
- Measuring your exposure to chemicals
- Canada's system for addressing chemicals
- Overview of the Chemicals Management Plan
- Schedule 1 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999
- Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist: Prohibited and Restricted Ingredients
For industry and professionals
- Melamine – information sheet
- Assessment of chemical substances
- TCPP and TDCPP – information sheet
- Decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE) - information sheet
- Dechlorane plus (DP) - information sheet
- Flame Retardants Group – information sheet
- Summary of flame retardant assessments and management conducted under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999