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Body Burden

Phthalates | Pesticides | Fluoropolymers | PCBs | Flame Retardants | Metals | Dioxins

Flame Retardants (PBDEs)

Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDEs) are flame retardants used in a wide variety of household items, including electronics, mattresses, furniture, plastics, as well as automobiles. These retardants belong to a larger class of toxins known as "Persistent Bioaccumulative Toxics." Due to common use, PBDEs are doubling at fast rates in society and enter our bodies through the food chain. Mothers especially pass on PBDEs to their infants through breast milk.

"The bodies of Puget Sound residents are contaminated by high levels of toxic flame retardant compounds that are known to cause behavioral aberrations, learning deficits, and other health effects in laboratory animals. An analysis of breast milk samples by nine Puget Sound mothers revealed high levels of the flame retardants in every sample tested. Concentrations of the chemicals were 20 to 40 times the levels found in Europe and Japan. These flame retardants, known as PBDE's (polybrominated diphenyl ethers) are commonly added to consumer and household products such as furniture foams, textiles, and electronics." (Northwest Environment Watch) [27]

"Household products ranging from kids' pajamas to computers release these brominated flame retardants [PBDEs, polybrominated diphenyl ether]. The chemicals have been turning up in house and yard dust, as well as in specimens collected from sewage sludge, streams, and even people's bodies. For 3 decades, manufacturers have been putting these chemicals into a wide variety of products to reduce the risk that these goods will catch fire. . . . In the July Environmental Health Perspectives, the Indiana scientists report that although the average was around 40 parts per billion (ppb) of PBDEs in blood, some moms and babies showed concentrations up to 450 ppb." (Science News) [28]

"A new study says chemical flame retardants are harming the brain development of children throughout Europe. Of particular concern is the retardant known as deca, used in many plastics in computers and televisions. A recent EWG investigation included the first tests for deca in the household dust of 10 American families, and found levels of the toxic chemical well above those that are causing concern in Europe." (Environmental Working Group) [29]

"Studies in wildlife have shown that PBDE levels are rising at alarming rates, doubling every one to five years. In the Columbia River system, levels of PBDEs in fish doubled in a mere 1.6 years (Washington Toxics Coalition) [30]

Phthalates | Pesticides | Fluoropolymers | PCBs | Flame Retardants | Metals | Dioxins

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