Are flame retardants in carpet padding toxic?
Yes. Research shows that flame retardants found in household materials are linked to developmental, cognitive, and behavioral issues in children.
What's actually in it
Carpet padding often contains organophosphate ester flame retardants and brominated flame retardants. These chemicals are added to materials to slow down fire. They don't stay put. Instead, they leach out of the padding and settle into your house dust. This means you and your children are breathing in and touching these chemicals every day.
What the research says
Peer-reviewed research has consistently linked these chemicals to significant health concerns. A 2026 study in Environ Res found that exposure to organophosphate ester flame retardants during pregnancy is linked to changes in child growth, including weight and body mass index, through age 10.
The impact on brain development is also clear. A 2026 study in Environ Pollut identified a connection between prenatal exposure to these same chemicals and lower cognitive scores in children. Furthermore, a 2026 study in J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol linked these chemicals in house dust to behavioral challenges in children.
Other types of flame retardants carry their own risks. A 2026 study in Sci Total Environ found an association between brominated flame retardants and the development of allergies. Additionally, a 2026 study in Environ Res connected halogenated flame retardants to thyroid function changes and traits related to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children.
The research at a glance
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