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City moves to end requirement for flame-retardant furniture that could cause cancer
By adamg on Wed, 03/02/2016 - 1:31pm
City officials are looking to amend decades-old fire codes that require the use of carcinogenic flame retardants on furniture sold in Boston, saying new fire-prevention measures mean the chemicals are no longer needed.
City Councilor Josh Zakim (Back Bay, Beacon Hill, Fenway, Mission Hill) said Boston currently represents 50% of the national market for the chemicals, because it's one of the last cities to still require them. He said they pose a threat to a range of people, from pregnant women who sit on potentially carcinogenic fabrics to firefighters who are exposed to their fumes when fighting fires.
He said local institutions and the city itself could save millions of dollars a year by ending the requirement.
The council agreed to hold a hearing, the next step in rewriting the current codes.
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Comments
Any details on which
Any details on which chemicals? Is this part of "Cal 133" requirements?
Zakim didn't say
His hearing request does refer to Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code, 527 CMR 1.00, Section 12.6.3.1, if that helps.
Late to the party
We like to think of ourselves as innovative & smart.
But our public records law has us often called the Mississippi of public records laws.
Until recently, we didn't allow gas pump handles to clip open despite decades of safe operations in other states.
And now, our little city is buying 50% of the US supply of carcinogenic chemicals based on decades old fire safety thinking. I'm glad this is on the docket, but what other silly rules are way past due for reform?
If you're too lazy to not hold
the nozzle, then perhaps you shouldn't be pumping gas. And, as unlikely as they are, gas overflows are not fun, especially if the pump is unattended.
Are those chemicals produced by a small, publicly-traded company
I feel like this issue needs time for me to short the stock, er, I mean, time for the issue to be studied.
too late to short the stock
I'm sure someone already has.
As I understand it, the
As I understand it, the biggest victim is cats. They sit on your couch all day, dust mop it up, and then lick it all in. After a few years of that, Fluffy has a thyroid problem.
aw man
don't say that.. my kitty just got diagnosed with hyperthyroidism..
He's also 16 tho...
How does this work?
Does this mean that just furniture sold in the city of Boston must use these chemicals? So, if I bought a couch in say, Burlington, it would not be treated with these chemicals, but if I bought one in Back Bay it would be treated? It seems strange that furniture companies would produce specially treated furniture for small areas. This is especially true for national chains, like Restoration Hardware. Do they specially treat furniture sold in the Back Bay store? What about online orders. If I order online and have it shipped to Boston, does it have to be treated? Just curious.
Fire Code
I'm curious what the Boston Fire Department has to say about this?
They are in favor of lifting
They are in favor of lifting the ban because when the furniture does burn, the smoke is very toxic and dangerous for firefighters