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Written question asked by Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (Green Party) on Thursday, 14 May 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Friday, 29 May 2026. It was answered by Baroness Sherlock (Labour) on Wednesday, 3 June 2026 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Fire Resistant Materials: Health Hazards

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to protect workers exposed to the common flame-retardant Tris(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TCPP) during the manufacturing process and to consumers purchasing products containing TCPP, given its classification by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as "probably carcinogenic in humans" (Group 2A).

Answer

Employers must comply with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH), ensuring that exposure to hazardous substances such as TCPP is kept as low as reasonably practicable. In foam manufacture, the COSHH hierarchy of control is key because workers may be exposed to TCPP through inhalation and skin contact.


Elimination is rarely feasible due to fire safety requirements, but substitution with less hazardous chemicals remains an important consideration. Engineering controls, such as closed systems and local exhaust ventilation, are the primary means of reducing exposure at source. Administrative measures and PPE provide additional protection, though COSHH emphasises that PPE should be a last resort.

The Department for Business and Trade is currently consulting on reforms to the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 to meaningfully reduce the reliance on chemical flame retardants in the manufacture of upholstered furniture while maintaining a high level of fire safety.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL82
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Consumers Cancer Health hazards Protection Manufacturing industries Fire resistant materials
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk