Can the flame retardant TDCIPP in foam furniture cause miscarriage?

What's actually in it

TDCIPP (tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate) is a flame retardant sprayed into polyurethane foam. You'll find it in couch cushions, mattresses, nursing pillows, car seats, and carpet padding. It replaced older flame retardants like PBDEs that were banned, but TDCIPP turned out to have its own problems.

Like most flame retardants, TDCIPP doesn't stay bonded to the foam. It leaks out into household dust. You absorb it through your skin, breathe it in, and even swallow it when dust settles on food or dishes. Pregnant women are exposed every day just by sitting on their couch.

What the research says

A 2026 study in the Journal of Hazardous Materials investigated how TDCIPP affects pregnancy at the cellular level. The researchers focused on decidual macrophages, which are immune cells in the uterine lining that help protect and support a pregnancy.

TDCIPP damaged these immune cells through a process called ferroptosis, a type of cell death driven by iron buildup and DNA damage. When these cells die off, the uterus loses its ability to maintain the conditions a pregnancy needs to survive.

The result: miscarriage. The study showed a clear chain of events from TDCIPP exposure to immune cell destruction to pregnancy loss.

TDCIPP is one of the most commonly detected flame retardants in American homes. A previous study found it in 96% of household dust samples tested. That means nearly everyone is exposed, including people who are pregnant or trying to conceive.

If you're pregnant or planning to be, check your furniture. Foam products made after 2005 but before recent regulation changes are most likely to contain TDCIPP. Ventilate your home, vacuum often with a HEPA filter, and wash your hands before eating to cut your exposure.