Manufacturers and retailers in Massachusetts will be banned from selling or importing covered products like bedding, furniture, childrenâs products, window treatments and carpeting that contain 11 flame-retardant chemicals under legislation signed Friday by Gov. Charlie Baker. The new law, which does not apply to inventory manufactured prior to Dec. 31, 2021, was celebrated by supporters who have pushed for its passage for years by arguing the chemicals can cause cancer and also are ineffective at slowing down fires. In a tweet, Sen. Cynthia Creem said she filed flame retardants legislation eight years ago and called its passage a âgreat start to 2021â and an important way to protect children and first responders from âharmful chemicals.â When products containing the chemicals burn, Creem has said, they create âtoxic smoke.â