…toxic chemical manufacturers created a front group to promote the use of fire retardants…and the guy behind it was also a mouthpiece for the tobacco industry.

Be sure to click on the Chicago Tribune’s excellent piece.

Here’s the kicker:  fire itself is not usually the cause of death–it’s smoke inhalation.  From chemicals.  One of the fire guys I talked to told me that burning plastic is the worst–burning plastic creates cyanide and it will “drop you like that” (as he snapped his fingers).  He said they never go into where plastic is burning without their oxygen masks.

Here’s a report from the LA Times in 2011.

…and the next question should be:  If it affects humans, what effect does it have on nature?

Here’s a short blurb on the increase of the toxic chemicals in the oceans.

These stories make me glad that I sewed my kids’ pajamas when they were young, using untreated cotton…at least I spared them that exposure.