Firefighters are more likely to develop brain tumors known as gliomas — and now we’re learning why. According to research published in the journal Cancer by a team at the University of California, San Francisco, these brain tumors carry a unique genetic signature tied directly to chemical exposure from their jobs.1
Glioma, the most common form of malignant brain tumor, is characterized by aggressive growth and poor survival rates. It causes headaches, vision problems, seizures, personality changes and memory loss. If left untreated, glioma rapidly progresses, often leading to severe disability and death.
Researchers found a clear pattern of DNA mutations linked to haloalkane exposure, a class of chemicals commonly used in flame retardants, pesticides and fire suppression foams. The longer someone worked as a firefighter, the more of these mutations their tumors showed. And even people with exposures to pesticides or petroleum products from other occupations had this same mutational fingerprint. The evidence points to a cumulative, dose-dependent toxic load.
If you or someone you love works around chemical flame retardants — this information isn’t optional. It’s necessary. However, you don’t have to be a firefighter to be affected, as flame retardant chemicals are found in many common household items.
Exposure to Flame Retardant Linked to Brain Tumors
The study revealed that people with brain tumors who had worked around flame retardants — like those used in firefighting — had a very specific type of DNA damage.2 This damage pattern acts like a fingerprint, showing exactly what caused the mutation.
• The more flame retardant exposure someone had, the more DNA damage they showed — In the study, firefighters who worked longer years had more of this toxic fingerprint in their brain tumors. It wasn’t just from fighting fires — people who weren’t firefighters but worked as painters or mechanics had the same harmful DNA changes.
That means this isn’t just a firefighting issue. If you’ve been around certain chemicals — whether through your job or home products — your body could be affected the same way.
• The damage affects important parts of your DNA — These harmful changes didn’t happen randomly. They showed up in specific genes that are known to be involved in cancer. When those genes get damaged, cells grow out of control, which is exactly how tumors form.
• You can be exposed without realizing it — Flame retardants aren’t just in fire extinguishing foam. They’re in household items like mattresses, sofas, electronics and carpets. Over time, the chemicals break down into tiny particles that get into the air, dust and even your skin. If these chemicals damage DNA in firefighters, they can do the same in your home — just more slowly.
• Scientists tracked this chemical damage using advanced testing — Researchers used genetic sequencing to read the DNA in tumor samples and pinpoint which mutations were caused by haloalkanes — the type of chemical used in flame retardants. This kind of testing shows cause and effect with high confidence, not guesswork.
• This is strong proof that everyday chemicals affect your health at the cellular level — The study proves that flame retardants interfere with how your cells function, and in some cases, push them toward becoming cancerous.
It’s important to remember that the health consequences of exposure to these chemicals extend beyond cancer. Flame retardants are also linked to developmental issues, thyroid problems and other serious health concerns. The cumulative effect of long-term, low-level exposure is a significant worry for everyone, especially young children whose bodies are still developing and are often more susceptible to the harmful effects of toxins.
How to Reduce Your Exposure to Flame Retardant Chemicals
You don’t need to fight fires to be affected by flame retardants. These chemicals are hiding in products in your home, including carpet padding and even your baby’s car seat. And research now shows they’re doing far more than just sitting there — they’re slowly leaching into your home, your body and your DNA.
Flame retardant chemicals have now been directly linked to genetic mutations that drive aggressive brain tumors. If that’s what they do to firefighters with heavy exposure, imagine what years of low-level, everyday exposure could mean for you or your children.
You deserve to feel safe in your own home — and there are simple steps you can take to make that happen. Reducing your toxic load doesn’t require a massive lifestyle overhaul. Just a few targeted changes make your home a safer place — and protect your body from the long-term damage these chemicals are known to cause. Here’s how to lower your daily exposure:
1. Replace flame-retardant-laced furniture and bedding — If your mattress or couch is older than a decade, there’s a good chance it contains toxic flame retardants. Look for newer items labeled “free of added flame retardants.” If you’re not ready to replace them, use tightly woven covers to create a barrier between you and the foam.
Organic 100% wool mattresses are also a naturally flame-resistant option. Another alternative is to look for an organic mattress that meets the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), which means at least 95% of the mattress materials must be certified organic and certain substances, including flame retardants and polyurethane (common in memory foam products), are prohibited.
2. Minimize dust, which carries chemical particles — Flame retardants settle into household dust, which you breathe in or absorb through your skin. Use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter regularly and mop with water instead of sweeping to avoid spreading dust back into the air. Keep windows open when weather permits to improve ventilation.
3. Avoid stain-resistant or wrinkle-free fabrics — Those “easy-care” clothing and upholstery items are often treated with flame retardant coatings. If it says stain-resistant, water-repellent or wrinkle-free, be cautious. Natural fibers like cotton, wool or linen are better choices — especially when they haven’t been chemically treated.
4. Check children’s products and baby gear — Car seats, crib mattresses, play mats and nursing pillows often contain flame retardants. Look for products certified by GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) or those labeled “flame-retardant free.” Children are especially at risk because their bodies are still developing and they spend more time on the floor where flame retardant particles accumulate in dust.
They also breathe more air per pound of body weight than adults, increasing the dose of any airborne contaminants. Even routine behaviors like crawling, touching toys and putting fingers in their mouths lead to higher exposures than adults would experience from the same environment.
5. Consider natural progesterone — In adults, one of the best ways to counteract the effects of flame retardants is to supplement with natural progesterone. This is because flame retardants are endocrine-disrupting chemicals that mimic or interfere with the action of estrogen in your body.
Using a natural anti-estrogen compound like progesterone helps mitigate the side effects of estrogen. However, I recommend using transmucosal progesterone with vitamin E — follow the guidelines below.
FAQs About Flame Retardant Chemicals
Q: Why are firefighters at higher risk for brain tumors like glioma?
A: Firefighters are regularly exposed to toxic chemicals in flame retardants, fire suppression foams and smoke. Recent research found that these chemicals leave a specific genetic fingerprint in brain tumors, indicating a direct link between long-term exposure and cancer-causing DNA damage.
Q: How do flame retardants in my home affect my health?
A: Flame retardants found in everyday items like furniture, electronics and carpets damage genes that regulate cell growth, increasing cancer risk through long-term, low-level exposure.
Q: Where are flame retardants commonly found in my household?
A: These chemicals are commonly found in mattresses, sofas, carpet padding, electronics, children’s car seats and items labeled as “stain-resistant” or “wrinkle-free.”
Q: How do flame retardants enter my body from household items?
A: Flame retardants break down into particles that get into household dust, which you breathe in or absorb through your skin during normal daily activities in your home.
Q: What steps can I take to reduce my family’s exposure to flame retardants?
A: Choose furniture labeled “flame-retardant free,” regularly vacuum with a HEPA filter, use natural fiber products, check children’s items for certifications like GOTS and improve home ventilation.
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