PBDE flame retardants: A fast-growing concern

Flame retardants are used in everyday items (from computer casings to carpet pads to foam cushions in chairs and couches) to reduce their ability to catch fire. In recent years, however, the three widely used flame retardants called PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers) have been detected in people’s bodies. Scientists have learned that:

1. PBDEs steadily migrate from the items to which they were added and build up in the fat tissue of living organisms, such as people and animals.

2. Some PBDEs used as flame retardants have been linked to brain and thyroid problems in laboratory rodents.

3. The levels of PBDEs in people’s bodies are doubling every 2 to 5 years, and are 40 times higher in North America than on other continents. If this rate continues, the levels in humans could reach those known to cause problems in laboratory rodents.

In an executive order on Jan. 28, 2004, Gov. Gary Locke directed the Department of Ecology, in consultation with the Department of Health, to draft recommendations for a plan to deal with toxic flame retardants and report back to him within a year. Ecology assembled an advisory committee to examine the nature of PBDE flame retardants, possible solutions, and their potential effects on Washington’s environment, residents’ health, and businesses that produce or handle products that contain PBDEs. At the same time, scientists at Ecology and at the Department of Health tracked each emerging study for more information on the problems with PBDEs and the potential solutions. On Jan. 5, 2005, Gov. Locke received an interim plan from the agencies that can be viewed at two of the links below.

For more detailed information on these issues, click on the related links.

• Responses to Public Comments on the Draft and Draft Final PBDE Chemical Action Plan May 2006
• Flame Retardant Alternatives - An assessment of potential health and environmental impacts of RDP and BAPP, two phosphate-based alternatives to Deca-BDE for use in electronics February 2006
• News Release - Ecology and Health release final plan for problem flame retardants January 2006
• Final PBDE Chemical Action Plan January 2006
• Guidelines for Sharing Proprietary Information with Ecology September 2005
• Interim PBDE Chemical Action Plan (summary) January 2005
• Interim PBDE Chemical Action Plan (full plan) January 2005
• Draft PBDE Chemical Action Plan (summary) October 2004
• Draft PBDE Chemical Action Plan (full plan) October 2004
• Department of Health's PBDE site