Can flame retardant chemicals from furniture end up in breast milk?

What's actually in it

Couches, foam mattresses, carpet padding, and electronics often contain organophosphate ester (OPE) flame retardants. These chemicals are added to meet fire safety regulations, but they don't stay locked in the product. They slowly escape into household dust, which you breathe in and absorb through your skin every day.

Because OPEs are fat-soluble, they accumulate in body fat over time. When a nursing mother produces breast milk, these stored chemicals can be released into the milk along with the natural fats that babies need for growth.

What the research says

A 2026 study in Environ Pollut conducted a comprehensive investigation of organophosphate esters and their metabolites in human breast milk. The researchers tested milk samples and found multiple OPE compounds present, confirming that these chemicals do transfer from mother to baby through nursing.

The study also profiled which specific OPE compounds were most common, and performed a health risk assessment for infants. While the levels found were generally below acute safety thresholds, the concern is about chronic, daily exposure during a critical window of development. A newborn's liver, kidneys, and brain are still forming, making them far more sensitive to chemical exposure than adults.

OPEs are known endocrine disruptors and potential neurotoxicants. Even low doses during early life may affect hormone signaling and brain development in ways that don't show up until later childhood.

You can reduce exposure by choosing furniture and mattresses labeled flame-retardant-free, dusting and vacuuming frequently with a HEPA filter, and washing hands before handling your baby. Breastfeeding still provides enormous health benefits that outweigh this risk for most families.