The silent killer continues to claim lives
Flame retardants that are commonly found in household products are raising concerns due to their potential health and environmental impacts. Studies suggest links to serious conditions, including hormonal disruptions and cancer risk. Despite their role in fire safety, flame retardants and PBDEs' widespread presence calls for greater awareness and safer alternatives to protect public health and ecosystems.
Curious about what you need to know about these everyday products? Click through now.
This study is an excellent start but continued research is needed in order to know which cancers are associated with PBDE exposure.
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers are endocrine disruptors meaning they interfere with the body’s hormones. These chemical compounds have been tied to poor blood sugar metabolism, gestational diabetes, obesity, and much more.
Past research shows that flame-retardant chemicals can pass to developing fetuses via the placenta and to newborns through breast milk.
PBDEs are the largest contributor to children’s intellectual disability. According to an August 2020 study, “there was a total loss of 162 million IQ points and more than 738,000 cases of intellectual disability.”
Manufacturers use flame retardants in all types of padded products including sofas, loveseats, recliners, office chairs, car upholstery, infant car seats, and some toys.
Electronics and kitchen appliances may also be coated with chemicals to reduce the chances of a fire occurring.
In 2004, two types of PBDEs were removed from the US market. However, the US Environmental Protection Agency did not regulate decabromodiphenyl ether, or DecaBDE, until January 2021.
In some instances, the industry has replaced certain chemicals with newer phosphorus-based flame retardants. However, researchers are concerned they may be linked to cancer as well.
Vintage items may contain PBDE chemicals. For example, foam in older sofas and carpet padding. Additionally, flame retardants have come from landfills over decades to pollute the air, soil, groundwater, rivers, and more.
Exposure to these chemicals can occur from contaminated household dust, consumer products, and residues in food, namely foods with a high fat content such as fatty fish.
Once PBDEs are in the environment, they gather in animal fat and as one animal eats another, the chemicals increase in concentration, with humans at the top of the food chain showing the highest levels.
According to the CDC, people who work in enclosed spaces where PBDE-containing products are manufactured, repaired, or recycled may have the highest risk.
Over the past 20 years, PBDE levels in fish dropped by 75%, however, researchers still found the chemicals in 93% of fish sampled, with some sites showing an increase.
To keep your family safe, put existing infant car seats, foam mattress pads, and furniture cushions in protective fabric that is not treated with flame retardants. Additionally, replace older foam in couches and chairs with flame-retardant-free foam, use HEPA filters, and clean carefully.
Black plastic consumer products, such as kitchen utensils and toys will often contain flame retardants that are recycled from electronic waste.
Contaminated black plastic kitchen items, such as spatulas and food trays, can leak hazardous chemicals into food. Heating these plastics can further exacerbate the risk.
Despite a 2021 ban, DecaBDE, a brominated flame retardant that belongs to the group of PBDEs, was found in 70% of tested samples, often exceeding European safety limits
Global trade contributes to exposure risks, as imported goods may contain flame retardants banned domestically.
Microplastics that come from flame-retardant-contaminated plastics act as additional carriers of these chemicals in the environment and can be very dangerous for humans.
Lower-income communities face higher exposure to PBDEs due to older housing, secondhand goods, and limited access to safer products.
PBDE contamination can impact wildlife and disrupt reproductive cycles, thereby threatening biodiversity through an accumulation in different food chains.
Consumers can reduce exposure by using HEPA filters and avoiding black plastics. On a greater scale, though, systemic policy changes are necessary to eliminate harmful flame retardants.
There is no known safe level of brominated flame retardants, which accumulate in the body and cost the US health system US$159 billion in 2018 alone.
Experts recommend avoiding black plastic for food contact materials. Replace plastic utensils with stainless steel or ceramic options to reduce exposure.
Sources: (CNN Health) (Beyond Plastics) (Britannica)
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Flame retardants that are commonly found in household products are raising concerns due to their potential health and environmental impacts. Studies suggest links to serious conditions, including hormonal disruptions and cancer risk. Despite their role in fire safety, flame retardants' widespread presence calls for greater awareness and safer alternatives to protect public health and ecosystems.
Curious about what you need to know about these everyday products? Click through now.