Furniture, Home Decorative, and Household Products

Furniture, Home Decorative, and Household Products

The Chanler Group's clients have identified various home décor products, including pillows, ottomans, curtains, and picture frames, that contain the flame retardants Tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (“TDCPP”) and Tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (“TCEP”), lead, and/or the phthalates di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate ("DEHP"), butyl benzyl phthalate ("BBP"), and Di-n-butyl phthalate ("DBP"), all chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, and reproductive harm.

Over the past year, the media has focused on the presence of flame retardants in furniture padding and other household products.  TDCPP and TCEP are widely used flame retardant chemicals and plasticizers that are found in both rigid and soft polyurethane foam, plastics, and fabric backings.  Because they do not chemically bind to the furniture backing, over time TDCPP and TCEP escape from the padding and attach to dust and other household items, creating unwanted human exposure.  Both TDCPP and TCEP have been identified by California as chemicals known to cause cancer.

Phthalates are "plasticizers," substances added to plastic components and materials in consumer products to increase their flexibility, transparency, durability, and longevity.  Phthalates have been recognized as major indoor pollutants in homes.  Along with their usage in kitchen and bathroom products such as spatulas, placemats, and shower curtains, phthalates are widely used in building and furniture materials, including furniture upholstery, coverings, and décor. 

BBP in vinyl flooring is of particular concern to The Chanler Group's clients. BBP is commonly used as a plasticizer for vinyl foams, which are often used as vinyl flooring.  The risk of exposure to high levels of BBP through vinyl flooring is elevated for several reasons. First, indoor air concentrations of BBP tend to be higher than outdoor air concentrations. It is also the case that many of us walk around our homes without foot coverage, such as socks, shoes or slippers, and the floor is a common surface on which young children crawl, which increases direct dermal exposure with the floor. This is also associated with increased hand-to-mouth exposure for children. 

As a neurotoxin, lead negatively affects the nervous system in both adults and children.  Research has shown that repeated exposure to lead cumulatively affects the developing nervous system and, over time, can lead to attention deficit, learning disabilities, short-term memory loss, behavioral problems, and diminished intellectual ability. Children under the age of six are the most at risk of developmental problems stemming from lead poisoning, due to their frequent hand-to-mouth behaviors and small body size. 

To review legal agreements which The Chanler Group's clients have reached with companies that sell furniture, home decorative, and household products, please see the cases below.

firm casework - enforcement

December 13, 2004
Lead
Consent Judgment
The Alameda County Superior Court of California entered a Consent Judgment on December 13, 2004 in Leeman v. Carlton Cards Retail, Inc., et al., which resolved citizen enforcer Dr. Whitney R. Leeman's allegations that defendant Carlton sold Tiffany-style lamps that contained lead or lead compounds in the State of California without providing the requisite health...
September 11, 2003
Lead
Consent Judgment
The Alameda County Superior Court entered a Consent Judgment in DiPirro v. Philips Lighting Company, et al. on September 11, 2003. The settlement resolved the allegations of citizen enforcer Michael DiPirro that defendants Philips Electronics North America Corporation and Philips Lighting Company sold certain light bulbs, with one or more solder points on the base, that...
August 20, 2003
Lead
Consent Judgment
The Alameda County Superior Court entered a Consent Judgment in DiPirro v. Levitz Furniture Incorporated, et al. on August 20, 2003. The settlement resolved the allegations of citizen enforcer Michael DiPirro that defendant Levitz Furniture Corporation sold Tiffany-style lamps containing lead in the State of California without providing the requisite health hazard...
August 18, 2003
Lead
Consent Judgment
The San Francisco County Superior Court entered a Consent Judgment in DiPirro v. Big Lots Stores, Inc., et al. on August 18, 2003. This settlement resolved the allegations of citizen enforcer Michael DiPirro that defendant Big Lots Stores, Inc. sold certain photo frames, stained glass lamps, and candle/votive holders containing lead in the State of California without...
August 18, 2003
Lead
Consent Judgment
A Consent Judgment in the DiPirro v. Joyce Chen, Inc., et al. matter, heard in the San Francisco County Superior Court, was entered on August 18, 2003. The Consent Judgment resolved citizen enforcer Michael DiPirro's allegations that the defendant Joyce Chen, Inc. sold brass strainers and skimmers containing lead (or lead compounds) in the State of California without...
February 26, 2003
Lead
Consent Judgment
On February 26, 2003, the Alameda County Superior Court entered a Consent Judgment in DiPirro v. Adams Apple Distributing, L.P., et al., which resolved citizen enforcer Michael DiPirro's allegations that the defendant Adams Apple Distributing, Inc. sold light bulbs with one or more solder points on the base containing lead in the State of California without providing...
January 29, 2003
Lead
Consent Judgment
A Consent Judgment in the DiPirro v. MMF Industries, et al. and DiPirro v. Office Depot, Inc. matter, heard in the Alameda County Superior Court, was entered on January 29, 2003. The Consent Judgment resolved citizen enforcer Michael DiPirro's allegations that the defendants MMF Industries, Block and Company, Inc., Office Depot, Inc. (collectively referred to as...
December 11, 2002
Lead
Consent Judgment
Citizen enforcer Michael DiPirro's suit against Pier 1 Imports, Inc. concluded through a Consent Judgment that was executed on December 11, 2002. The agreement resolved DiPirro's allegations that Pier 1 sold frames with flowers and votive holders containing the heavy metal lead in the State of California without providing the requisite health hazard warnings. As...