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

November 27, 2017
DEHP
Out-of-Court Settlement
On November 27, 2017, citizen enforcer John Moore and settling party R. Greenspan International Inc. (“R. Greenspan”) entered into an out-of-court settlement agreement. Moore had alleged that R. Greenspan sold vinyl/PVC bin handles containing the phthalate chemical di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (“DEHP”) in the State of California without providing the...
October 19, 2017
DEHP
Consent Judgment
The parties involved in the case Wozniak v. FLP, LLC executed a Consent Judgment on October 19, 2017.  In this matter, citizen enforcer Paul Wozniak alleged that FLP, LLC (“FLP”) sold gloves with vinyl/PVC components containing the phthalate chemical di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (“DEHP”) in the State of California without providing the requisite...
October 10, 2017
Lead
Consent Judgment
The parties involved in the case Wozniak v. Waxman Industries, Inc. executed a Consent Judgment on October 10, 2017. In this matter, citizen enforcer Paul Wozniak alleged that Waxman Industries, Inc. (“Waxman”) sold hose coupling nuts containing the heavy metal lead in the State of California without providing the requisite health hazard warnings.  ...
August 21, 2017
DEHP
Out-of-Court Settlement
On August 21, 2017, citizen enforcer Peter Englander and settling party Home Expressions, Inc. (“Home Expressions”) entered into an out-of-court settlement agreement.  Englander had alleged that Home Expressions sold vinyl/PVC toilet seats containing the phthalate chemical di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (“DEHP”) in the State of California without...
August 8, 2017
DEHP
Out-of-Court Settlement
On August 8, 2017, citizen enforcer Laurence Vinocur and settling party Iceberg Enterprises, LLC (“Iceberg”) entered into an out-of-court settlement agreement.  Vinocur had alleged that Iceberg sold chairs with vinyl/PVC upholstery containing the phthalate chemical di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (“DEHP”) in the State of California without providing...
July 24, 2017
Lead
Out-of-Court Settlement
On July 24, 2017, citizen enforcer Laurence Vinocur and settling party Penshurst Trading Inc. (“Penshurst”) entered into an out-of-court settlement agreement.  Vinocur had alleged that Penshurst sold napkin rings containing the heavy metal lead in the State of California without providing the requisite health hazard warnings. As part of the settlement,...
July 13, 2017
DEHP
Out-of-Court Settlement
On July 13, 2017, citizen enforcer John Moore and settling party Half Price Books, Records, Magazines, Incorporated (“Half Price Books”) entered into an out-of-court settlement agreement.  Moore had alleged that Half Price Books sold vinyl/PVC disc organizer zipper pulls containing the phthalate chemical di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (“DEHP”) in...
June 21, 2017
DEHP
Out-of-Court Settlement
On June 21, 2017, citizen enforcer John Moore and settling party Imax Corporation (“Imax”) entered into an out-of-court settlement agreement.  Moore had alleged that Imax sold vinyl/PVC trays containing the phthalate chemical di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (“DEHP”) in the State of California without providing the requisite health hazard warnings....