MPs today blasted the government for failing to crack down on pollution from toxic chemicals, which they warn are present across all aspects of everyday life, from children's mattresses to breast milk.

Following an investigation into chemical use in the UK, the MPs on the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) are calling on the government to urgently reform the labelling system for consumer products and curb the use of chemical flame retardants in domestic furniture.

The Committee said the government has not moved quickly enough to address the issue, pointing to a 2014 proposal from the former government department for Business Innovation and Skills, and a further consultation from the department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) in 2016, which outlined plans to amend fire safety rules to cut the use of chemical flame retardants. Years later, the results of the two consultations have yet to be published.

EAC chair Mary Creagh said the lack of action was "appalling" given the scale of the problem in the UK. "Most people assume that they aren't at risk from toxic chemicals but the reality is different," she said. "Mums in the UK have some of the world's highest concentrations of flame retardants in their breast milk, some of which have now been banned. Chemical flame retardants are still being widely used in our furnishings from children's mattresses to sofas.

"Meanwhile the government is sitting on its hands instead of changing regulations to ensure that the most toxic chemicals are taken out of use. I find it appalling that a government department should take nearly three years to respond to a public consultation and we're still waiting."

The MPs said the government must publish the results to the consultations before Parliament breaks for summer recess at the end of next week, or stand accused of "deliberately delaying" the process.

BEIS was considering a response to the report at the time of going to press.

The EAC paper also calls for the launch of a biomonitoring programme to assess the concentration of chemicals in everyday life in the UK, including more focus on the potential contamination of the Grenfell Tower site in West London.

"We need to know the extent of people's exposure to chemical contamination which is why we are calling for a biomonitoring programme across the UK, with specific monitoring for residents around Grenfell Tower," said Creagh. "Officials took more than a year to begin soil testing around the site of the fire after the first evidence of environmental contamination was found."

Concern was also raised over the increased use of plastic packaging, including for food, with the EAC found is "likely to substantially contribute to chemical exposures of the human population and the environment".

The MPs are calling for an immediate ban on any substances of 'very high concern' being used for food packaging, and want to see manufacturers reform packaging labels to be more transparent about any chemicals used.