Limit toxic additives into building products
PBDEs are used as flame-retardants in some building products. These are extremely persistent in the environment and are rapidly accumulating in our bodies. PBDEs have been found to be toxic and may threaten our health.
PBDEs – polybrominated diphenyl ethers, commonly used as flame-retardants – are added to textiles, foam products, and plastics to make them difficult to burn. There are three commercial forms of PBDEs: penta-BDE, octa-BDE, and deca-BDE. Under certain circumstances, deca can break down into more toxic forms of PBDEs, including the banned octa-BDE.
Toxic Levels are Rising
PBDE levels in human tissues in North America have increased significantly over time, and are much higher compared to levels in Europe or Japan. Limited studies indicate that children accumulate higher levels of PBDEs than adults. In the U.S., PBDEs have been found in the breast milk of women at levels 10 to 100 times higher than those found in Europe.
Health Impacts
Learning and Memory: Exposure to deca-BDE in mice and rats during brain development can give rise to irreversible changes in adult brain function.
Reproductive: Rats exposed to PBDEs experienced a delayed onset of puberty and reproductive development.
Cancer: Rodents who ate deca-BDE developed liver tumors, causing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to classify deca as a “possible human carcinogen.”
Thyroid: PBDEs can disrupt homeostatic thyroid levels in mice. Decreased concentrations of the thyroid hormone can lead to decreased IQ in offspring.
BANS GAINING MOMENTUM
Industries voluntarily withdrew the manufacture of penta-BDE and octa-BDE by 2005 because of evidence that the chemical may be toxic and traces were found in breast milk.
According to Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, 44% of worldwide deca-BDE use occurs in North America. In Michigan, a report from the State Department of Environmental Quality panel supports a ban on "deca-BDE, the only remaining commercial type of the flame retardant. Many other states are also supporting a complete phase out of deca-BDEs which is likely most dangerous to infants and children.
SAFER ALTERNATIVES ARE AVAILABLE
Many electronics companies already or will soon meet fire safety standards without using deca-BDE including Dell, HP, Toshiba, Apple, Sony, Panasonic, Phillips, and Samsung.
In the Foam Insulation industry, Icynene is one of the few manufacturers offering PBDE-free spray foam insulation.
While lower cost products containing PBDEs may find place in the market, high consumer demand for healthier homes will push the US builders to incorporate PBDE-free materials in their buildings.