Chemical flame retardants (CFRs) are added to products such as sofas, headboards and mattresses to slow down the spread of fires. But many persist in the environment long after use, harming wildlife and people. Their fire-safety benefits are also increasingly being questioned, with growing evidence they may increase smoke toxicity and the likelihood of death from inhaling toxic smoke.

The UK has some of the highest levels of CFRs in the world, both in the environment and in homes – making up an estimated 25% of consumption worldwide - but lags behind EU and international regulatory efforts to restrict their use.

Wildlife organisations are calling for the Government to:

• Prevent chemical pollution at source
• Enhance monitoring and regulatory standards for chemical pollutants in water
• Upgrade the treatment of chemical pollutants in wastewater released into the environment, paid for by polluters

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