The Ecumenical Greening Congregations of South Whidbey are sponsoring a showing of the film, “Toxic Hot Seat,” which addresses the “ubiquitous presence” of chemical and flame retardants in furniture, carpets and the human body.

The film will be shown from 1-3 p.m., Oct. 19 at the Clyde Theater in Langley.

Fire departments are concerned with the presence of these toxic chemicals because of their outgas during fires, endangering firefighters. If the fumes of these chemicals are inhaled, they may be deadly.

“Toxic Hot Seat” was produced under the auspices of the WA State Toxics Coalition and is a part of an ongoing statewide campaign to educate the public about the danger posed by toxic chemicals used to produce fire retardants.

The Washington State Toxics Coalition and a host of other environmentally-minded organizations such as the Environmental Priorities Coalition, has introduced and lobbied for new legislation that would ban the current chemicals and substitute these with suitable alternatives. The legislation was supported by firefighters and the Washington House of Representatives but failed to pass in the Senate in 2014. Chemical industry personnel lobbied heavily against the proposed change; the legislative fight will continue in 2015.

Employees of the Washington Toxics Coalition and of the local fire district are expected to speak at the screening.