Why am I being warned about potential exposure to TBBPA?
- TBBPA is on the Proposition 65 list because it can cause cancer. Exposure to TBBPA may increase the risk of cancer.
- Proposition 65 requires businesses to determine if they must provide a warning about exposures to listed chemicals.
What is TBBPA?
- TBBPA is a flame retardant used to reduce the flammability of plastics and synthetic resins in some consumer products.
- As of January 2020, California has banned the sale and distribution of new upholstered furniture, replacement components of reupholstered furniture, foam in mattresses, and certain children’s products made for residential use if these products contain more than 0.1% of certain flame retardants, including TBBPA.
How does exposure to TBBPA occur?
- TBBPA may be released into air, dust, and surfaces in homes, offices, schools, day care centers, and cars from printed circuit boards, casings, and other parts of electrical and electronic equipment.
- Infants and young children may be exposed to higher levels of TBBPA in air, dust and surfaces. This is because they often crawl and play on the floor, getting more dust on their hands, and putting their fingers, toys, and other objects in their mouths.
- During pregnancy, TBBPA can pass from mother to baby.
Main ways you can be exposed to TBBPA:
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How can I reduce my exposure to TBBPA?
- Safely dispose of electrical and electronic items, which may contain TBBPA. Do not disassemble or burn them.
- Avoid exposure to dust that can contain TBBPA:
- Wash your hands and your child’s hands frequently, especially before eating.
- Clean floors regularly, using a wet mop and a vacuum with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, if possible.
- Wipe up dust regularly, using a damp cloth.
For more information:
General Fact Sheets and Resources
- US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) - California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA)
CalRecycle
Scientific Information on TBBPA
- World Health Organization (WHO)
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) - US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
National Toxicology Program (NTP)
Proposition 65
- California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA)
Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA)- Proposition 65: Background
- Proposition 65: The Chemical List
- Proposition 65: Fact Sheets
