WWF-UK: Chemicals in the living room
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Chemicals and Health
Living room
Chemicals in the living room
Avoid
- synthetic carpets, carpet underlay or upholstery with synthetic foams, foam rubber, latex or plastic coverings, because these emit VOCs ;
- chemical finishes such as stain repellents and brominated flame retardants on furniture or carpets;
- re-carpeting or ripping out carpets if you are pregnant.
Buy
- carpets made from organic natural fibres such as wool, cotton, rattan or jute;
- curtains, carpets or upholstery containing little or no brominated flame retardants or stain repellents;
- computers and monitors carrying the TCO 95 eco-label, which limits the amount of brominated flame retardant in the product.
Change
- carpets for wooden, ceramic, or cork floorings where possible;
- synthetic carpets for ones made from natural fibres, if carpeting is necessary;
- air fresheners for fresh air - open your windows! If you can't do that, use natural odour eaters such as a bowl of baking soda, or natural fragrances such as potpourri. Natural lavender room spray is available from the WWF shop.
Extra info
Furniture, televisions, other electrical appliances, carpets and rugs often contain chemicals that are stain repellent or fire retardant. Some chemicals used as flame retardants (brominated flame retardants) persist for a long time in the environment, accumulate in our bodies and can disrupt our natural hormone systems. Not all of these chemicals or products can be avoided, of course, but we can reduce our exposure to them in the living room.
Volatile organic chemicals (VOCs ) are a range of chemicals, many of which have hazardous properties. Some are carcinogenic and can irritate our lungs, and some may also be greenhouse gases which contribute to climate change.
Volatile organic chemicals (VOCs ) are a range of chemicals, many of which have hazardous properties. Some are carcinogenic and can irritate our lungs, and some may also be greenhouse gases which contribute to climate change.
