[Date]
The Honorable Mark Leno
Senator, California Senate District 3
State Capitol, Room 5100
Sacramento CA 95814
Re: Support for SB 147, the Consumer Choice Fire Safety Act
Dear Senator Leno:
I am writing to express support for Senate Bill 147 (SB147), the Consumer Choice Fire Safety Act.
[Information about your organization, why you care about SB 147]
We know from biomonitoring studies that toxic flame retardants are now routinely found in the bodies of
humans across North America, and at the highest levels in California. The chemicals migrate from
consumer products into dust and make their way into humans, pets, wildlife and our food supply. Testing
of umbilical cord blood shows that our babies are born pre-polluted with toxic flame retardants.
California’s ineffective furniture flammability standard is the major cause of this problem.
This legislation is an essential step to correct the outdated flammability standard that has led to the use of
toxic flame retardants in consumer products in California. Despite our reputation as a leader on
environmental health policy, the California Furniture Flammability Standard Technical Bulletin 117
(TB117) has in fact resulted in California being responsible for unnecessary pollution of the U.S.
population and environment by known problematic chemicals. SB 147 will begin to fix this by calling for
an alternative flammability standard that can be met without the use of chemical fire retardants, and that
does not compromise fire safety.
There is no impartial data to support the myth promoted by the chemical industry that flame retardants are
effective in preventing furniture fire deaths. In fact, flame retardant treated foam ignites after seconds and gives
off high levels of the carbon monoxide, soot and smoke that are the major causes of fire deaths.
On the other hand, dozens of peer reviewed scientific research studies link fire retardant chemicals to
cancer, neurological impairments, reproductive problems, thyroid effects, and endocrine disruption.
Toddlers, who are particularly vulnerable, often have a 3 times higher level of flame retardants in their
bodies compared to their parents, and California children some of the highest levels of some toxic flame
retardants in their bodies.
The Consumer Choice Fire Safety Act will protect our state from both fires and the harmful health and
environmental effects of fire retardant chemicals. We strongly support SB 147, for the health of our
children, our workers, our environment, and all of California.
Sincerely,
[Your Name, Organization]