Chlorinated Tris Officially A Carcinogen
Chlorinated Tris, the flame retardant once pulled from children’s pajamas and now widely used in foam for furniture and baby products, has been designated a carcinogen by a California panel. The chemical, also known as TDCPP, will now be listed as a carcinogen under California’s Proposition 65.
Chlorinated Tris, the flame retardant once pulled from children’s pajamas and now widely used in foam for furniture and baby products, has been designated a carcinogen by a California panel. The chemical, also known as TDCPP, will now be listed as a carcinogen under California’s Proposition 65.
The California Carcinogen Identification Committee met today to consider the evidence that the chemical, the leading replacement for the toxic PBDEs, causes cancer. The committee based its decision on the following:
- A large animal study showed increases in liver, kidney, and testicular tumors after exposure to Tris;
- Tris caused mutations in cell studies;
- Tris breaks down in the body to form several other cancer-causing chemicals; and
- TDCPP is structurally similar to other cancer-causing chemicals, such as brominated Tris and TCEP.
Recent testing has indicated that chlorinated Tris has become the primary substitute for the toxic flame retardant penta-PBDE, withdrawn from use in 2004. A study published in May of 2011 found chlorinated Tris in a nearly a third of baby products such as changing pads, car seats, and portable mattresses. According to testimony at the meeting, recent testing found Tris in more than couches purchased in California in the last five years.
Researchers have found Tris in house dust—considered a major source of exposure, especially for children—at levels comparable to those of PBDEs. Tris has also been detected in indoor air, waterways, and breastmilk.
Image courtesy of flickr user Jesse757
