Come On Already, California! We Need New Flame Retardant Regulation Now.

Just read this excellent post on EWG's Enviroblog about recent flame retardant research. The author suggests at the end of the post writing to California' Bureau of Home Furnishings to tell them you support the efforts to reform fire standards (TB117-2012).

I was sitting at my laptop when I read that. Since my children weren't screaming (yet), I decided to go for the gold and just do it. The link in the Enviroblog post wasn't super helpful, but a little googling later and I had the Contact Us page for the California Bureau of Home Furnishings and Thermal Insulation, where I found the following information:

Bureau of Home Furnishings and Thermal Insulation4244 South Market Court, Suite D
Sacramento, California 95834-1243
Telephone (916) 999-2041
FAX (916) 999-2043
E-mail: contactbhfti@dca.ca.gov

Here is my email I sent off:

I am a resident of California and a mother of young children. I have been following the news and research about flame retardants for many years. I am writing to tell you that I support flame retardant regulation reform and the efforts of The Alliance for Toxic-free Fire Safety. Please stop exposing my children to toxic chemicals in the name of fire safety.

Thank you for your consideration

And here was the response:

Thank you for contacting the Bureau of Electronic and Appliance Repair, Home Furnishings, and Thermal Insulation regarding the upholstered furniture flammability standard, Technical Bulletin 117 (TB 117).

The Bureau is currently conducting research and exploring alternatives to TB 117 to alleviate the concerns related to the usage of fire retardant chemicals, while still maintaining protection from fire hazards.

We appreciate your concerns and assure you that this is a priority for the Bureau.

Sincerely,
Bureau of Electronic and Appliance Repair, Home Furnishings and Thermal Insulation

Which I appreciated. Nonetheless, I'm all for letting them know my priorities, and, until needed reform actually takes place, holding their feet to the fire (so to speak).

Alternatively, you could email your Congressperson.

Do you have time for a little eco-activism today?