Tribune Tower
Good job by the Trib: doing actual journalism, getting results.
Since the Tribune published its “Playing With Fire” series, momentum has been building for stricter oversight of flame retardants and other toxic chemicals.
The newspaper’s investigation documented a deceptive campaign by industry that distorted science, created a phony consumer watchdog group to stoke the fear of fire and organized an association of top fire officials to advocate for greater use of flame retardants in furniture and electronics.
Promoted as lifesavers, flame retardants added to furniture cushions actually provide no meaningful protection from fires, according to federal researchers and independent scientists. Some of the most widely used chemicals are linked to cancer, neurological deficits, developmental problems and impaired fertility.
“Your series was an eye-opener,” said Joseph Erdman, legislative director for the New York Senate Committee on Environmental Conservation. “We hope other people around the state and nation read it.”
The committee has revived legislation targeting a chemical known as chlorinated tris, or TDCPP, that was voluntarily taken out of children’s pajamas more than three decades ago after studies found it could cause cancer. Recent tests have found that chlorinated tris now is commonly added to strollers, highchairs, rockers, diaper-changing pads and other baby products.
(click here to continue reading Momentum builds for stronger oversight of flame retardants – chicagotribune.com.)
Kudos to Tribune reporters Michael Hawthorne, Sam Roe, Patricia Callahan; keep up the pressure, and perhaps something good will come of this…
Say, what do you suppose might be the benefits of stoking that type of fear of fire campaign? …I honestly can’t imagine how the industry would be improved by adding specific chemicals to say, cushions. And I don’t know anything about the research. So, I’m just curious. What in the world was gained? Or, is gained still? How did corporate shareholders of the furniture making industry benefit by the use of extra chemicals? And do I smell some illuminati mayhem smoldering, or is that the couch burning in the living room? …Please advise. (Those drat illuminatists!)
Very, very interesting article. And great photo. thank you for sending them.
Actually it was the tobacco companies who manipulated and coerced the government. Big tobacco was afraid of regulation since so many houses burned down after some schmoe fell asleep while smoking, instead of changing the chemical mix they spray on tobacco to make it burn, convinced everyone to use toxic fire retardants instead.