EWG Project
PBDE-Free Manufacturer & Product List
PBDEs are a class of toxic chemicals in wide use to prevent the spread of fire and are likely to be found in dozens of products in your home, from the padding below your carpet, to your bed, couch or television screen.
POLYURETHANE FOAM PRODUCTS
(furniture, mattresses and foam items for infants)
The form of PBDEs most commonly used in foam furniture was withdrawn from the US market in 2005 after EWG and academic researchers reported widespread PBDE contamination in human beings, wildlife and common foods. See EWG's work on PBDEs for more information.
New adult and child mattresses, mattress pads, couches, easy chairs, foam pillows (including breastfeeding pillows), and infant sleep positioners do not likely contain PBDEs. However, some manufacturers have proposed to use a different PBDE chemical in these products.
The following manufacturers have taken steps to phase-out all PBDEs from their products.
CARPET PADDING
New carpet padding may well be a source of PBDE exposure for your family, since the padding is made of glued together foam scraps. We recommend you take precautions when removing foam padding below old carpet, and investigate wool or other non-foam padding when installing new carpet.
MATTRESSES AND CRIBS
ADULT AND CHILD MATTRESSES, BEDDING, AND BABY GEAR
- A Happy Planet
- Dream Soft Bedware
- Ecobaby*
- European Sleep works
- IKEA
- McRoskey
- Natura Sleep Systems*
- Natural Aurora Mattress*
- Nirvana Safe Haven
- Northern Naturals
- Organic Bliss Innerspring Mattress*
- Organic Wear USA
FUTONS
ELECTRONICS
The form of PBDEs used in computer and television monitors — as well as other electronic products — is not subject to any use restrictions, despite the fact that is has been shown to be toxic to animals. It appears to accumulate in wildlife and has been shown to break down in to more toxic forms once it enters the environment.
In response to restrictions on toxic chemical in electronic products sold in Europe, major manufacturers have taken the initiative to remove PBDEs from their electronic products world-wide. We have identified a number of major manufacturers who have pledged to eliminate PBDEs from all or some of their new products.
CELL PHONES
The following companies have stopped adding PBDEs to their mobile phones.
* Source: The Green Guide. Smart Shopper's PBDE Card (PDF).
