Recently, a regulatory agency in Berkeley, California, filed a lawsuit against major retailers such as IKEA, JCPenney, and Kmart. The companies were accused of selling furniture containing high levels of flame retardants, violating California’s Proposition 65. As a result, they have agreed to pay a total of $2.3 million in civil penalties. How to Avoid the Dangers of Flame Retardants Flame Retardants Are Common in Sofa Fillings When choosing a sofa , comfort is important, but so is its safety. Researchers at Duke University found that many sofa foams contain flame retardants that may cause cancer, hormonal imbalances, and even affect children's brain development. These chemicals can lower IQ and contribute to ADHD in young children. According to U.S. media reports, Professor Stapleton from Duke University's Department of Environmental Chemistry and her team collected sofas from across the United States between 1985 and 2010. Of these, 94% were purchased after 2005, and over 100 types of polyurethane foam samples were tested. Surprisingly, 85% of them contained harmful flame retardants. The two main harmful flame retardants identified by Professor Stapleton are Tris (TDCPP) and PentaBDEs. Tris, a chlorine-based chemical, was banned in infant clothing in 1977 due to health risks, yet it's still commonly used in furniture. "Over 40% of sofa fillings contain Tris," she noted. PentaBDEs, on the other hand, are brominated flame retardants that can accumulate in the environment and in human bodies. They disrupt hormone function, impact thyroid regulation, and even affect brain development, especially in fetuses. Because of these dangers, some U.S. manufacturers stopped using PentaBDEs after 2005, and it has been banned in 23 states. Most developed countries have also phased out brominated flame retardants. Flame-Retardant Furniture Is Often Marketed as a Selling Point "Even if our mattress catches fire , it will self-extinguish after burning for a while," said a mattress salesperson. This effect is achieved through flame retardants, which are often marketed as a safety feature. In China, there are two main standards related to flame retardants. One is GB28481-2012, which sets limits on the use of brominated flame retardants like PBB and PBDE. The other is GB20286-2006, which focuses on flame-retardant performance in public spaces, including furniture like sofas. There is growing demand in China for stricter regulations on flame retardants. However, with environmental policies in Europe and the U.S. becoming more stringent, the use of certain flame retardants has been restricted. Currently, testing for flame retardant concentrations in homes is limited, and most methods require breaking down materials, which is not practical for households. Whether flame retardants pose a health risk depends on various factors. While consumers shouldn't panic, it's worth noting that the concentration of flame retardants in typical home environments is generally low. Additionally, some types, like phosphorus-based inorganic flame retardants, are less volatile and therefore safer. As awareness grows, more sustainable alternatives are being explored to reduce long-term exposure risks. Pneumatic Actuator Valve used compressed air flowing into and exhausting from an actuator to open and close the valve. The type of pneumatic actuator required depends on the actuator valve. Valves requiring linear motion (gate, globe or diaphragm valves) typically require a pneumatic diaphragm actuator. Quarter turn valves (Pneumatic Ball Valve, Pneumatic Butterfly Valve) typically require either a rack-and-pinion actuator or a scotch yoke actuator. Pneumatic Actuator Ball Valve, Pneumatic Actuator Butterfly Valve, Pneumatic Angle Seat Valve, Pneumatic Piston Valve NINGBO BRANDO HARDWARE CO.,LTD , https://www.brandopneumatic.com