Do Flame Retardants Affect Child Brain Development and Cognition?

Your home is likely filled with organophosphate ester (OPE) flame retardants, and a 2026 study suggests they are doing more than just sitting in your furniture. Researchers followed 831 mother-child pairs and found that prenatal exposure to DPHP—a primary metabolite of a common flame retardant—is associated with lower cognitive scores in children by age 6.

The study found that 96.4% of participants had detectable levels of DPHP in their systems during pregnancy. This isn't a rare chemical you have to hunt for; it is a ubiquitous additive used in everything from foam padding to plasticizers. When researchers adjusted for variables, they found a clear link between these exposures and a decrease in cognitive functioning.

You cannot avoid every chemical in the modern world, but you can control what comes into your nursery and living room. Start by ditching products that rely on chemical flame retardants, like synthetic foam mattresses or mass-produced plastic gear. Look for natural materials like wool or organic cotton that don't require these additives to meet safety standards. We have curated a list of non-toxic home alternatives to help you swap out the worst offenders without the guesswork.

Source: Ghassabian A, Etzel T, Ames JL, O'Connor TG, Buckley JP (2026). Environ Pollut.