Our Foam Findings

By Gretchen Kroeger

This February, our Analytical Chemistry Core (working closely with the Research Translation Core) started offering a new service to the public – free foam testing. Dubbed “What’s in my foam?“, the goal of the study is to test foam samples from residential furniture for the presence of 7 commonly used flame retardants. After about 7 weeks of being open to the public, we have some preliminary results.

As of March 17th, our lab had analyzed 34 samples of foam. Thank you to everyone who has sent in foam! (If you’re interested in sending us foam from your own furniture, visit this website.)

We created an infographic summarizing what we’ve found in the foam so far. Check it out and let us know if you have any questions! (If you do have questions, please email foam@duke.edu.)

Foam Findings, March 2014
Foam Findings, March 2014 (click to view a larger version)