Flame Retardants and Child Growth: What the Data Says

Your furniture and baby gear are likely treated with organophosphate ester flame retardants (OPEs). A 2026 study published in Environmental Health Perspectives found that prenatal exposure to these chemicals is linked to altered growth patterns in children, including changes in weight and BMI that persist through age 10.

Researchers analyzed 4,566 mother-child pairs and found that exposure to specific OPEs like BDCPP and DPHP correlates with accelerated weight and BMI growth rates during early and mid-childhood. You can read the full study here. These chemicals are not just sitting in your couch cushions. They off-gas into the air and settle into household dust, meaning you and your developing baby are breathing them in daily.

You cannot simply scrub these chemicals away. The only way to limit exposure is to be intentional about what you bring into your home. Start by checking labels on foam products, mattresses, and upholstered furniture for flame-retardant-free certifications. Swapping out older, degrading foam items is a practical step toward reducing your family's chemical burden. We have curated a list of non-toxic home alternatives to help you replace the common items that are quietly leaching these substances into your living space.

Source: Starling AP, Li X, Ames JL, Barrett ES, Bastain TM (2026). Environ Res.