Fires have long since been a problem, especially in places of arid climates, posing a threat to our homes, families, and environment. From house fires, to forest fires the destructive element has created a problem for which we have been trying to find the solution to for ages. Whether it is the use of water, fire extinguishers, controlled burns, or special chemicals, humans have been discovering ways to prevent/control fires for centuries. However, some of these techniques have been discovered to have negative impacts on the environment as well as adverse health issues. In particular, the use of flame retardants. So, what are flame retardants? Like many other fire preventers, flame retardants are a type of chemical that when applied to a material, help to avert or minimize any damage caused by a fire. Used on a wide variety of things including but not limited to; Furniture, electronics, electrical devices, and construction materials, flame retardants appear frequently in one’s everyday life. These chemicals are categorized based on their effects and chemical structures. The most commonly used are what are called “brominated flame retardants”. Chemicals such as Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE), Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), and Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) are all chemicals that have bromine atoms in their chemical structure. These retardants cause numerous problems due to their tendency to build up in bodies of water. They do not dissolve easily in water leaving them to stay in the water infecting people’s water sources and exposing them to health concerns. Some other common flame retardants include Tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl)phosphate (TDCPP) and what is called Firemaster 550. These chemicals come with a host of possible health issues including cancer, endocrine disruption, metabolic effects, lower birth weight, and impaired neurological development. Most concerning is the increased risk children face. Studies have shown that exposure to flame retardants may stunt child development. Dr. Ann Young, who is researching PBDEs and their health impacts says that “Everyone is exposed to PBDEs, everyone has levels of PBDEs in their bodies.” People are typically exposed to these flame retardants through the chemicals separating into dust and the air, in turn transferring to our hands or food resulting in the harmful chemicals being ingested. This is another factor in the increased risk presented towards children, since they have a tendency to put their hands to their mouth and are lower to the ground. Another way we are exposed is through the burning of these chemicals, ironic enough, causing firefighters to be at a higher risk. The manufacturing of the materials using these flame retardants often spread the chemicals throughout our air, soil, and water spreading it for us to later ingest. However, health professionals are realizing these adverse health effects and are working towards change. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Researchers are finding ways to develop alternatives safer than the current flame retardants, solutions to reduce e-waste that is harmful to the environment and human health, as well as studying the toxicity of different flame retardants. The Green Science Policy is working with big manufactures and companies to limit and reduce the amount of harmful flame retardants being used. In Massachusetts a new law has recently passed banning the use of certain flame retardant chemicals in any common items such as bedding, children's products, carpeting, and furniture. In Minnesota there was also a similar law passed in 2019. Several other states have followed suit continuing to ban the chemicals prevalent in these fire retardants. While flame retardants are not being produced and used at the rate they once were, these chemicals are still a very real threat and still exist in today’s market. Some things you can do to limit your own exposure to these detrimental chemicals are looking at labels when you buy furniture, specifically labels stating the lack of flame retardants, looking for children products that are made of polyester or wool, and cleaning dust from your house often. On top of these things washing your hands often and avoiding household materials that use polyurethane foam. Overall the cons of flame retardants heavily outweigh the pros, and some research is even showing that the “pros” might not be as pro as we thought. Tracy Woodruff from the University of California, San Francisco stated that “After testing these flame retardant chemicals, it makes maybe a second-or-two difference [in time to combustion]. It’s not really meaningful when it comes to preventing the effects of a fire.” So one has to ask, do these chemicals even help that much? Furthermore, are these “flame retardants” really worth the health issues that come with it?

The American Foundation for Suicide Preventation is ecstatic as a result of The National Suicide Hotline Designation Act being signed into law by President Trump. CEO Robert Gebbia stated that “"We are thrilled, because this is a game changer”. The previously 10 digit number will be changed into an easy to remember 3 digit hotline, 988. Calls to suicide prevention centers have risen to double the amount from 2014 to 2018, and more so in recent years. Especially during the pandemic many are projecting that suicide rates may rise as long term effects set in, resulting from fear, anxiety, and self isolation amongst other reasons. It’s been recorded that during the pandemic calls to the suicide hotline have increased peaking at 6% in July. The new 3 digit number will be an enormous aid in helping those suffering from mental health problems and seeking the help of others. Gebbia highlights that “When you're in crisis and you're already emotionally upset, the hardest thing to do is find the number that's a 10-digit number and call it." It is the hope that the shortened number will be embedded in our heads and easy to remember in times of emotional distress. Similar to the nature of 991 calls, the number will be so deeply ingrained in our memory that whatever situation we are in, we are able to easily remember the number and call it. The hotline is expected to be up and running by July 16, 2022.