The story of flame retardant chemicals in the United States begins in the 1970’s, when they first appeared in children’s pajamas and other consumer products. They were banned from use in pajamas after a scientific study showed that children were absorbing these chemicals overnight. The story does not end there, as replacement flame retardant chemicals were quickly introduced into many common products, creating near-ubiquitous exposure.

Joseph Allen, Assistant Professor of Exposure Assessment Science at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health explores the history of flame retardants, including “regrettable substitutions”—chemicals nearly identical to the ones that were taken off the market.

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The Center for Climate, Health, and the Global Environment (Harvard Chan C-CHANGE) at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health increases public awareness of the health impacts of climate change and uses science to make it personal, actionable, and urgent. Led by former U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy and Co-director Dr. Aaron Bernstein, the Center leverages Harvard’s cutting-edge research to inform policies, technologies, and products that reduce air pollution and other causes of climate change.

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