San Francisco is set to ban the sale of upholstered furniture containing flame retardant chemicals linked to cancer and other serious health conditions, according to an article from SF Examiner.San Francisco will reportedly be the second city or state to institute such a ban, following the lead of Maine, which enacted a measure in August that will be effective January 2019. The ban will extend to online sales and include children’s products such as booster seats and high chairs, according to the article.
The flame retardants in question are found in the foam inside the furniture rather than the fabric. According to the article, furniture can meet fire safety standards without the use of the foam. The proposal, unanimously supported by the city’s Small Business Commission, is also backed by the local firefighters’ labor union. Firefighters reportedly experience higher rates of cancer and toxins from the chemicals are found in their blood, according to the Examiner.
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