Can organophosphate flame retardants from furniture get into breast milk?

What's actually in it

Organophosphate ester (OPE) flame retardants are added to couch cushions, mattresses, car seats, electronics, and foam insulation. They replaced older brominated flame retardants but may not be much safer. OPEs escape from products as dust and vapor. You breathe them in and absorb them through your skin. In nursing mothers, these chemicals transfer into breast milk.

What the research says

A 2026 study in J Agric Food Chem measured OPE levels in breast milk from mothers in Beijing. The researchers found multiple OPE flame retardants in the samples. The types and amounts varied, but every sample contained detectable levels.

Nursing babies drink breast milk as their only food for months. Since their livers and kidneys can't process chemicals well yet, even low levels of flame retardants can build up in their small bodies. OPEs are endocrine disruptors that may affect brain development and hormone function.

Reduce flame retardant dust in your home by vacuuming with a HEPA filter and washing hands often. Choose furniture and baby products labeled as flame retardant-free. Keep rooms well-ventilated.