Sleeping mats used by childcare centres have been found to contain toxic flame - retardant chemicals , according to an Oxford University study . The commission also took the first steps to eventually ban their use in furniture, electronics and children’s products. Researchers found that replacing older brands with new , greener brands could reduce chemicals in dust by as much as 50 % . Flame - retardant chemicals have been linked to health problems including obesity , diabetes and hormone disruption . The US Consumer Product Safety Commission last year urged the public to avoid the organohalogens class of flame - retardant chemicals that were found in the centres .
Sleeping mats used by childcare centres have been found to contain toxic flame - retardant chemicals , according to an Oxford University study . Researchers found that replacing older brands with new , greener brands could reduce chemicals in dust by as much as 50 % . Flame - retardant chemicals have been linked to health problems including obesity , diabetes and hormone disruption . The US Consumer Product Safety Commission last year urged the public to avoid the organohalogens class of flame - retardant chemicals that were found in the centres .