Flame retardants are used in a range of products from children’s clothes and toys, to furniture and electronics, and over the years they’ve gotten credit for saving lives and property. But fire-slowing chemicals are also linked to health problems — including cancer, birth defects and nervous-system damage — particularly among firefighters and other first-responders. Last year, state lawmakers approved a bill banning nearly a dozen flame-retardant chemicals used in children’s products, furniture, carpeting, window curtains and other common household products. The measure, which was signed by Gov. Charlie Baker, prohibits the manufacture, sale or distribution of household products that contain any of the 11 now-banned chemical flame retardants or analogues in levels higher than 1,000 parts-per-million. Read More…