Flame-retardant 



List of Sources inferred from Articles

PLAYING WITH FIRE Pg. 3 - Records show there was no dangerous pillow or candle fire. – autopsy reports and direct inquiry at specific morgues.- probably had to go straight to the morgue or where the morgue records are kept. Pg. 10- baby death **2. Peer reviewed scientific research reports** Pg. 4 - Today, scientists know that some flame retardants escape from household prod- ucts and settle in dust. – scientific studies, first hand accounts from scientists in the field. -Probably easily available online Pg. 4 – government study à Chicago tribune used interview of vytenis Babrauskas instead of contacting him directly- printed or online source Pg. 5 chart of retardants and effects provided through epa- probably their online resources Pg. 6 – projections on flame retardant use- The freedonia group (industrial market research third party source – likely an online source and a common reporter resource Pg. 1-6 – citizens for fire safety- tribune uses the groups own postings against them as is also done for Heimbach. – transcripts from public testomony  pg. 7 – jeff zack – contacted them directly probably by telephone  pg. 11 mother of nacy - contacted them directly probably by telephone  generally failed to comment, but probably contacted by phone or in person  video of sofas burning- probably an online resource  pg. 6- Los Angeles Times ad. - News archives  taken or archived by the tribune  BIG TOBACCOS CLOUT  pg. 19- sparber- must have become public record some how or disclosed by company because of some court mandate  pg. 20 – Association Management.- Magazine archives and the tribunes personal photo archives  FLAT-OUT DECEPTIVE pg. 30- Bromine Science and Environmental Forum- probably public online resource TOXIC ROULETTE pg. 37- freedom of information act. – submission of forms pg. 38 independent chemists revelaed firemaster 550 contents CHEMICALS IN THE CRIB pg. 49- WHO
 * 1. medical records/ medical**
 * 3. other news sources **
 * 4. Government agencies **
 * 5. third party review **
 * 6. Public records/ court transcripts **
 * 7. advocacy groups **
 * 8. victims/interviews **
 * 9. Companies in question **
 * 10. videos **
 * 11. advertisements **
 * 12. photographs **
 * 13. Personal expense reports/ and job histories **
 * 14. Magazines **
 * 15. Forums **
 * 16. Health studies **
 * 17. whistleblowers**
 * 18. international organizations**

Short Proposal


 * Title:** A Consumer Guide to Playing with Fire
 * Abstract:** In the world of consumer and child safety, flame-retardants have played a huge role. There are a number of horror stories to back up the need for these chemical products put fourth by industry to maintain and better establish wealth in the current economy. Thanks to a number of news articles and studies, Chemical flame-retardants have been exposed as a chemical industry scam that can potentially be more dangerous than not having any form of retardant. This research will seek to further this understanding by asking what products should specifically be looked out for that consumers wouldn’t necessarily suspect. It is likely that there are a significant number of products that people need to know more about because of the products perceived innocence.
 * Overview:** Upon completion of this research it is the goal of those that are part of this project to develop a guide that is easy to access so that the lesser known items with flame-retardant in them become known. This will be accomplished by a closer examination of the products in three different major department stores that seek to be supercenters that can provide a one-stop solution to the consumer shopping experience. A list of specific products can be provided for the benefit of the consumer. This should ensure that mainstream consumers can navigate the more popular shopping complexes better than simply revealing the types of products that typically are to blame. This should be done as quickly as possible in order to increase health prospects of the consumer. The study will be primarily overseen by an interdisciplinary collaboration of social scientists and toxicologists.
 * Background and significance:** The issue at hand is current enough to warrant immediate attention and has already sparked an intense response from the public. There are already several health studies on various flame-retardants done by both industry and third party groups that identify the issue as well as some tests that compare the effectiveness of the use of flame-retardants. This renewed focus on the health of consumers is part of a larger health and environmental movement that has grown more influential as time has gone on.
 * Preparation and Work thus Far:** The ability of my colleagues and I to develop and implement a research project on this scale is well established by the prior work done by all of those in question. With the help of some experienced toxicologists this research has the ability to facilitate a better future in regards to the health of everyday consumers. Several specific products have already been clearly labeled by the intense investigative reporting done by the authors of //Playing with Fire// in the //Chicago Tribune.// The articles provide an accurate snapshot of the wide variety of media sources that combine to form the conclusions that are made. So far it has been shown that flame-retardants do not stop the fire they set out to and can make the situation worse by making the smoke from the fire even more toxic. The highest level of chemical exposure, in this case, is undergone by young children and babies because they spend a lot of their earlier life on and around flame-retardant treated surfaces.
 * Methodology and plan of work:** This research will identify the products of three different popular department stores and there danger in regard to the amount of flame- retardants the consumer is likely to be exposed to. After asking which of these products the consumers should be more aware of given their treatment by these chemicals a basic survey will done of the shoppers on site to ascertain which products are most likely to be overlooked as safe by the common consumer. This will be accomplished by providing a list of the identified products and having the consumer rate on a scale from 1 to 5 how surprised (5 being the most surprised) they are that a given product could be potentially much more dangerous then they previously thought. If the length of the list of products hinders the effectiveness of the approach then the consumers will simply be asked to reveal which top five products surprised them the most. The sample size for either case will be roughly 100 individuals. The sites are Walmart, Target, and K-mart. This survey will not release the private positions of those it examines and simply seeks to establish what consumers feel rather then who particularly feels it.
 * Dissemination:** A copy of the results from the survey of products and peoples reactions to the products will be sent to the department stores management for circulation in the form of fact sheets and an in-depth report. It is the intention of this group to enter this paper into a health journal to contribute to the larger body of knowledge already established on this subject. Just after issuing the stores in question with facts sheets, consumers will also receive access online and in the form of pamphlets located near the establishments in question.