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How Modern Furniture Endangers Firefighters

While firefighters are laying their lives on the line to save our homes and families, the products we buy and place in our homes may be putting them in danger even after the fire has been put out. Recent studies have shown that firefighters “have a higher risk of multiple myeloma, and possibly a greater risk of contracting non-Hodgkin lymphoma, prostate, and testicular cancers.” Researchers believe the synthetic materials and coatings on our everyday products are to blame. In fact, a study in 2012 found that firefighters had 3 times the level of flame retardants compared to the general population in their system after fighting a fire. While there have been bans on some flame retardants, new ones have popped up in their place, and they’re just as dangerous. The risk for a firefighter is often complicated by the fact that some firehouses lack gear essential to keeping firefighters safe. Having access to washers and dryers, as well as an extra set of equipment, is just not possible for a large number of fire departments.

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