Fire Safety Without Harmful Chemicals Webinar

The What: The Sustainable Furnishings Council will be offering a free webinar on the topic of Fire Safety Without Harmful Chemicals. Flame retardant chemicals can be found in upholstered furniture as well as building materials such as insulation (expanded and extruded polystyrene (EPS and XPS) and polyurethane and polyisocyanurate). Learn from expert Dr. Arlene Blum about how we can be assured of fire safety without exposure to harmful chemicals.

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The When: Thursday, April 17, 2014 at 12:00 – 1:00 PM EST (North American time zone – Eastern Standard Time).

The Where: Online.

The Who: Anyone who is concerned with safety and use of flame retardant chemicals found in everyday products.

The How: The event is free, but please register online.

Dr. Arlene Blum received the Special Achievement Award from David Gottfried at the USGBC Northern California Chapter's Super Heroes Awards Gala in 2013. (Photo courtesy USGBC NCC)
Dr. Arlene Blum received the Special Achievement Award from David Gottfried at the USGBC Northern California Chapter’s Super Heroes Awards Gala in 2013. (Photo courtesy USGBC NCC)

The Details: Dr. Blum is a biophysical chemist, visiting scholar at UC Berkeley’s Department of Chemistry, founder of the Berkeley, California-based Green Science Policy Institute, and renowned mountaineer. She will talk about a California standard that led to the use of harmful and potentially harmful flame retardant chemicals in furniture and baby products across North America and how toxic flame retardant chemicals came to be required ingredients in everyday products such as upholstered furniture. In spearheading the efforts with policy makers, scientists, and industry since 2006 to revise the standard for fire-safe, flame retardant free furniture, she will discuss the available alternatives.

Independent research and scientific integrity guide Green Science Policy Institute’s mission to promote responsible use of chemicals, ensuring a healthy planet for current and future generations. The Institute provides unbiased scientific data to government, industry and non-governmental organizations to facilitate informed decision-making about the use of chemicals in consumer products. It encourage scientists to use their research in the public interest. The Institute is currently focusing on reducing the use of unnecessary flame retardants due to their adverse impacts on human and environmental health.

About Mignon O'Young 88 Articles
Mignon O’Young, Editor, is a California licensed architect, LEED Accredited Professional, and Certified Green Building Professional with more than 15 years of experience in the design, construction, green building, and affordable housing development industries.

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