A carcinogenesis chemical is showing up in San Francisco’s bay. The chemical is chlorinated tris. It used to be used in children’s pajamas as fire retardant but was banned long ago due to it’s cancer causing properties. So how did a chemical that was banned over thirty years ago suddenly show up in the bay? It appears that the chemical retardant is now being used by European furniture companies to act as a fire retardant for the foam cushions. It seems the chemical gos from the furniture into the air in the form of house dust and then into the bay. The dust is not just a problem for the fish but our children. OAKLAND, Calif. — A little-noticed scientific study published last month concludes that a chemical widely used to prevent fires from starting in your furniture is now showing up in disturbing amounts in San Francisco Bay.

And that may not be the worst of it.

It’s called chlorinated tris, commonly used as a fire retardant in furniture.

Until about 30 years ago the substance was used in children’s pajamas but was discontinued because it was found to have cancer-causing properties.

“It was phased out of that use in the late 70s after findings came out suggesting it was a mutagen, said study author Susan Klosterhaus of San Francisco Estuary Institute. a non-profit organization that studies the environmental health of the Bay.

Specifically, researchers found the substance in high concentrations in much of the bay floor. That led the researchers to their main concern: chlorinated tris found in abundant quantities in furniture, used to retard fires in the foam of chairs and sofas.

The question of how a cancer-causing chemical in children’s pajamas banned decades ago is finding its way into the bay led the scientists back to foam furniture.

Klosterhaus says she suspects the chemical goes from the furniture, into house dust and then migrates to the bay.

“We know that people on an everyday basis and particularly children who crawl around on the floors inside homes are exposed to house dust,” she remarked.

KTVU made repeated attempts to get another perspective on the situation from the chemical manufacturer’s representatives, furniture makers and retailers — even bay area fire marshals.

One of the makers of the chemical, ICL Industrial Products with corporate headquarters in Israel did publish a response to the study. The company stated that European Union risk assessment studies show “very low levels found in the environment” that “do not represent any risk.”

Back in the bay area the chemicals cause concern for fishermen

Rudy Coronado, who had been fishing in the bay since childhood, said he gave it up long ago.

“The water just smelled, the fish came out of the water with bugs in them and little worms, and we started pulling away, further and further out,” he remarked.

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