In the 2019 film, "Killer Sofa," a recliner is possessed by an evil spirit and becomes a serial killer, making it the chair-man of doom.

It’s not likely your favorite chair will really murder you, but according to a study in the journal Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, carpets, cushions, upholstery, and electronics that are treated with flame retardants can expose you to chemicals linked to measurable neurological and cognitive deficits, certain types of cancer, endocrine and immune system dysfunction, and poor infant development.

According to researchers from the NYU Grossman School of Medicine, flame retardants called polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PDBEs), as well certain pesticides (organophosphates), were the cause of more than a million cases of intellectual disability in American children (low IQ, autism, etc.) between 2001 and 2016.

There are several pieces of federal and state legislation in place or up for consideration that ban or severely limit the use of these chemicals, but you can limit your and your loved ones’ exposure in the following ways:

• Don't buy products treated with flame retardants: Check labels and manufacturers' websites for info. 

• Use a HEPA filter vacuum and air filter in your home, because chemicals from furniture you have can mingle with household dust.

• Dispose of foam cushions if upholstery is ripped, as the chemicals are more likely to leach out. ]

In addition, anyone who works with an organophosphate pesticide needs to change out of their clothes and shower before coming into a home with young children.