So, what should parents do to lower the risk? Eskenazi and her colleagues advise taking steps such as quickly sealing up any furniture/upholstery tears, and being vigilant about mopping and vacuuming to keep dust levels down. Routine hand-washing is also recommended.
Dr. Maida Galvez, an associate professor in the department of preventive medicine and pediatrics at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City, agreed with those precautionary measures.
And when families shop for furniture, she also suggested "choosing what are known to be safer alternatives, such as products filled with cotton, wool or polyester rather than chemical-treated foam. Families can also look for products that are flame-retardant free."
More information
Find out more about PBDEs at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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