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Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), are flame retardant chemicals added to a wide variety of
household products to delay combustion. PBDEs have been used extensively for the last 30 years
with the U.S. and Canada being the largest consumers. Studies have shown that PBDEs are escaping
from these products and are accumulating in people and the environment throughout the world. The
highest levels of PBDEs have been found in the U.S. and Canada and are more than 10 times higher
than those found in Europe. PBDEs have been found in human breast milk, blood and fat, house dust
and indoor air, fish, wildlife, birds, beef, dairy products and sediments.
In 2006, the Departments of Ecology and Health drafted a chemical action plan (CAP) on PBDEs. The
CAP identifies actions the state may take to reduce threats posed by PBDEs to Washington’s public
health and environment.
Click here for a link to download a copy of the PBDE CAP
Click here for information on the process and development of the PBDE Chemical Action Plan
PBDEs are members of a broader class of brominated chemicals used as flame retardants. They are often
added to plastics, upholstery fabrics and foams in products as common as computers, TVs, furniture
and carpet pads. There are three main types of PBDEs used in consumer products: Penta-BDE, Octa-BDE
and Deca-BDE. Each of these types of PBDEs has different uses and different toxicity. Manufacturers
of Penta-BDE and Octa-BDE have agreed to voluntarily stop producing these two forms of PBDEs by the
end of 2004. Deca-BDE was not part of this agreement and currently makes up 80 percent of overall
PBDE use in the US.
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. The
highest levels of PBDEs in people have been found in Canada and in the U.S., which are the largest
producers and consumers of PBDE products. The components of the Penta and Octa-BDE formulations are
those most often found in food and in people, while Deca-BDE is more prevalent in sediment and
indoor dust. Although PBDEs have been detected in everything from food to indoor air and dust,
exactly how people are exposed to PBDEs is an area of ongoing study. PBDEs build up in the body
because they reside and persist in fatty tissue.
Flame retardants like PBDEs are added to products so that they will not catch on fire or burn so
easily if exposed to flame or high heat. Fires are a leading cause of death and injury in the U.S.
Most plastic and foam are petroleum based and catch fire easily. Strict fire safety regulations in the
U.S. require manufacturers to take steps to reduce the flammability of their products. Actions
proposed by Ecology and Health in the PBDE CAP with respect to limiting the use of PBDEs were
considered within the context of ensuring adequate levels of fire protection.
In April 2007, the Washington State Legislature passed the PBDE Law. This new law, which became
effective in July 2007, and is now codified as Chapter 70.76 RCW – PBDEs.
Click here for information on the recently adopted PBDE Law
Click here for DeMinimus PBDE Guidance
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