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Department of Ecology News Release - October 12, 2004
04-192
OLYMPIA - The Department of Ecology and Department of Health are seeking public comment on a draft plan to reduce the levels of the chemical flame retardants that are showing up in the environment and in people.
These retardants, known as PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers), are often added to plastics or fabrics so they won't catch fire or burn so easily. The problem is that PBDEs leave these products and make their way into the environment, wildlife and humans.
"We don't know exactly how PBDEs get into people, though we suspect exposures are from indoor air, dust and food," said State Health Officer Maxine Hayes. "We are concerned about the possibility of health problems resulting from these rising levels of PBDEs in the environment. The health effect of PBDEs on humans is unclear, but we know exposure is occurring and we want to change that."
The agencies' plan is due to Gov. Gary Locke in December. The plan calls for controlling the handling and disposal of existing PBDE products to limit the continued release of PBDEs into the environment and food chain, as well as phasing out the sale of many new products that contain certain PBDEs.
Levels of PBDEs in the environment are rising steadily and are highest in North America, home to the largest producers and consumers of PBDE products. PBDEs have been found in everything from orcas to polar bears in the arctic to human breast milk in the Pacific Northwest. Studies show that the levels in body fat, breast milk and blood of people in the U.S. are 10 to 100 times higher than the levels found in people in Europe and Japan.
The plan by Ecology and Health comes at a time when the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is drafting a regulation that will establish new fire safety standards for residential upholstered furniture. The agencies believe the new flammability standards can and should be met by using alternative flame retardants that don't increase the public's exposure to PBDEs.
"We need to lower PBDE levels, not keep raising them," said Linda Hoffman, director of Ecology. "We can't be like the frog in the pot of slowly boiling water that doesn't realize the problem until it's too late."
Hoffman said that dealing with the large volume of consumer PBDE products already in use will take years. During that time, the existing products will continue to release PBDEs into the environment.
The public can comment on the draft PBDE action plan in meetings this month in Seattle and Spokane and also via e-mail to chep461@ecy.wa.gov, via fax to 360-407-6884, or via mail to Department of Ecology, EAP PBDE CAP, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, Wash., 98504-7600.
The public meetings are scheduled for:
Each meeting will begin with an open house at 6 p.m., followed by a formal hearing 7 p.m. that will include short presentations by Ecology and Health and then open up to comments from the public.
The draft plan and additional information about PBDE flame retardants are available online at www.flameretardants.org.
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Media Contacts: Rick Manugian, Department of Ecology, 360-407-6928
Robert Duff, Department of Health, 360-236-3181
Web link: www.flameretardants.org
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
