Ecology and Health release plan for problem flame retardants

Washington State Department of Ecology

Department of Ecology Press Release - December 1, 2005

05-290

Ecology and Health release plan for problem flame retardants

OLYMPIA - The state departments of Ecology and Health are recommending that the state Legislature ban certain chemical flame retardants known as PBDEs. The recommendations announced today are intended to protect people in Washington from possible health effects by reducing exposure to these chemicals.

The announcement begins a 30-day public comment period on the agencies' plan for PBDEs, or polybrominated diphenyl ethers - chemical additives that are used in everyday household products and are building-up in people's bodies, in animals and in the environment. The agencies have been directed by the Legislature to address PBDEs.

Ecology and Health recommend in the plan that the Legislature immediately ban two forms of PBDEs known as Penta and Octa, which are scheduled to be phased out of production in the United States. They further recommend that use of the third PBDE, Deca, be prohibited in electronics enclosures provided that safer alternatives are identified or upon additional evidence of Deca-BDE harm. Other recommendations include a proposal to evaluate a ban on Deca in other products such as textiles and mattresses. None of the recommendations would impact fire safety.

PBDE flame retardants are used in a wide variety of everyday products. Penta is used primarily in foam products such as seat cushions and upholstered furniture as well as in rigid insulation. Octa is used in high-impact plastic products such as housings for fax machines and computers, automobile trim, telephone handsets and kitchen appliance casings. Deca is used in plastics such as wire and cable insulation, adhesive coatings and textile coatings. Typical end products include housings for television sets, computers, stereos and other electronics. Deca is also used as a fabric treatment and coating on carpets and draperies. The exact way that people are exposed to PBDEs is not fully known, although the most current research points to human exposure through indoor air and house dust, and from certain foods.

Manufacturers of Penta and Octa, the two PBDEs known to be the most harmful, voluntarily ceased producing the chemicals in January 2005. Deca, the third PBDE, is not known to be harmful in its original state, but studies show that it can break down into more harmful forms. Production and use of Deca could rise significantly in the coming months as the result of new fire standards for upholstered products in the home. The Consumer Products Safety Commission is considering new standards and may allow manufacturers to us Deca, in addition to other, safer flame retardants, to meet those standards.

In recent years, PBDE flame retardants have been found in the environment, in foods and in people. PBDEs have been measured in blood, fat and breast milk in people around the world.

Although the health effects of PBDEs have not been studied in people, PBDEs have been studied in laboratory animals. Those studies indicate that PBDEs effect on brain development during the pre-natal period may alter behavior, learning and memory later in life.

"We basically have two big problems with PBDEs: They are everywhere and we are exposed to them on a daily basis," Ecology Director Jay Manning said. "We cannot continue on this course."

"The rising levels of these chemicals pose a growing concern," said State Health Officer Dr. Maxine Hayes. "PDBEs are similar to other chemical compounds, like PCBs, which we know cause health effects - especially in developing fetuses and growing children. Finding safer alternatives is important for the public's health."

A draft of the final PBDE plan and recommendations, along with more information about PBDEs, is available online at www.flameretardants.org as of 4:30 p.m. today. Comments on the plan will be accepted through Dec. 30 and may be submitted online or mailed to: Mike Gallagher, Ecology PBT Coordinator, Solid Waste & Financial Assistance Program, Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600.

The plan recommends that:

The Washington State Legislature ban the manufacture, distribution or sale of new products containing Penta-BDE and Octa-BDE in Washington; using or selling used products would not be impacted.
The Legislature should ban the use of Deca-BDE in electronic enclosures provided safer alternatives are identified or with additional evidence that Deca-BDE harms human health.
Ecology and Health should evaluate a ban on Deca-BDE in products that don't already contain Deca, such as textiles and mattresses, to limit increases in its use.
The Legislature should provide necessary funding for Ecology and Health to:
- evaluate new studies and information on Deca;
- conduct further research on toxicity of alternatives to Deca; and
- continue to monitor levels of PBDEs and PBTs in the environment.
Ecology should establish a process to evaluate and determine appropriate disposal and recycling practices, including potential financing options, for products containing PBDEs.

###

Contacts: Rick Manugian, public information officer, 360-407-6928
Robert Duff, Department of Health, 360-236-3181