Question from Donna L
Hi Debra,
I’m doing a little redecorating and have two questions. Many sofas now contain soy in the cushions. I know soy when ingested is considered an endocrine disrupter, but what about if inhaled? Can soy even offgas if it’s in a cushion?
Secondly, I purchased some 100% cotton drapes from Pottery Barn, and the description stated that they were CPSC compliant for flame resistancy without being chemically treated. What does this mean? They’re going to be hanging right under a heat vent, so I’m concerned if they contain a flame retardant at all (in case the heat causes them to offgas).
Thank you so much for your help with this and everything else you do!
Debra’s Answer
I would think that soy would outgas from a cushion. I’m sure most people with soy allergies would tell you that.
If the drapes say they are not chemically treated, by law they should not be chemically treated. That doesn’t mean that they aren’t as there is such thing as deception in labelling. But it’s likely that they are not chemically treated.
“CPSC compliant” simply means that they meet the CPSC standards for being flame retardant. The CPSC does not specify how to achieve being compliant, only that they comply.
