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California could soon discard a 1975 rule that forced the use of toxic flame retardants in American furniture, state officials said last week, in response to Gov. Jerry Brown’s call for updated fire safety standards.

“Toxic flame retardants are found in everything from high chairs to couches, and a growing body of evidence suggests that these chemicals harm human health and the environment,” Brown said in a June 18 statement. “We must find better ways to meet fire safety standards by reducing and eliminating —- wherever possible —- dangerous chemicals.”

The new standards would overturn a state rule that required furniture foam to withstand an open flame —- a standard that required manufacturers to infuse upholstery foam with pounds of chemicals linked to health problems including infertility, cancer, hormone disruption and learning disabilities.

Scientists and environmental advocates say the rule is based on a flawed model of how house fires occur, and hasn’t reduced fire deaths or injuries.

“Basically, the test is really ill-conceived,” said Ana Mascarenas, policy and communications director for Physicians for Social Responsibility in Los Angeles. “It hasn’t improved fire safety. It doesn’t protect us from house fires.”