tumadre - 9-9-2006 at 21:18
Recently in western Washington, there has been concern over the record levels of the ten or so related fire retardants known as PEDEs
I am refering to the Spokane river, with something like 5 times the federal limits for acceptable levels
These chemicals are in furnature, clothing, plastics, building supplies and many other products. And as more studies are conducted, they are
apparently becoming a problem in people too.
I am fearing that the new use of these chemicals are in the same boat as the PCBs of the past, we use them and the studies take ten or so years to
place them under the list of some ten thousand cancer causing chemicals.
By then it is too late for some groups of people.
no one knows for certain if these chemicals are in fact harmful... yet.
unionised - 10-9-2006 at 00:59
Do you mean PBDE?
tumadre - 10-9-2006 at 15:31
Yes, PBDEs
polybromo diphenyl ethers
there are thousands of sites with information,
this one is a good summation: http://www.sciencenews.org/articles/20011013/bob18.asp
"Trace amounts of PBDEs leach into the air and sewage, probably from plastics in appliances and computers, foam in upholstery, and fabric of carpets
and draperies. Between 5 and 35 percent of such items by weight consist of PBDE flame retardants."
if it is indeed 5 to 35 percent, then this is a great source of Bromine.
Morgan - 22-4-2012 at 08:30
Flame Retardants in Consumer Products: Does the Benefit Justify the Harm?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5njba_nhgc#t=10m30s
TEDxGreatPacificGarbagePatch - Arlene Blum - Plastic Pollution In Our Homes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IDlb4N-_u4
[Edited on 22-4-2012 by Morgan]