Difference between revisions of "Flame Retardants"
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| − | '''Flame Retardants''' refer to over 175 different chemicals used to inhibit ignition of combustible organic materials. These chemicals are classified into groups including halogenated organic (typically brominated or chlorinated), phosphorus-containing, nitrogen-containing, and inorganic flame retardants.<ref>Linda S. Birnbaum and Daniele F. Staskal, [http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/members/2003/6559/6559.html "Brominated Flame Retardants: Cause for Concern?"], Environmental Health Perspectives, January 1, 2004, Accessed August 10, 2010</ref> The more than 75 chemicals included in the category of [[brominated flame retardants]] (BFRs) are commonly used because they are effective and cheap. However, some are also dangerous to human health. Both [[Tris]] and [[polybrominated biphenyls]] (PBBs) were proven harmful and phased out decades ago. However, | + | '''Flame Retardants''' refer to over 175 different chemicals used to inhibit ignition of combustible organic materials. These chemicals are classified into groups including halogenated organic (typically brominated or chlorinated), phosphorus-containing, nitrogen-containing, and inorganic flame retardants.<ref>Linda S. Birnbaum and Daniele F. Staskal, [http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/members/2003/6559/6559.html "Brominated Flame Retardants: Cause for Concern?"], Environmental Health Perspectives, January 1, 2004, Accessed August 10, 2010</ref> The more than 75 chemicals included in the category of [[brominated flame retardants]] (BFRs) are commonly used because they are effective and cheap. However, some are also dangerous to human health. Both [[Tris]] and [[polybrominated biphenyls]] (PBBs) were proven harmful and thought to be phased out decades ago. However, Duke University chemist Heather Stapleton found chlorinated tris to be the most common flame retardant found in baby products since pentaBDE, a polybrominated diphenyl ether or [[PBDEs|PBDE]], was pulled from the market, according to the ''Chicago Tribune''.<ref>Michael Hawthorne, [http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/watchdog/flames/ct-met-flames-regulators-20120510,0,6880244,full.story Toxic roulette], ''Chicago Tribune'', May 10, 2012</ref> Other BFRs, like [[PBDEs]], are still in use today despite growing evidence of their danger to human health. PBDE production constitutes 25 percent of all flame retardant production.<ref>Centers for Disease Control, [http://www.cdc.gov/exposurereport/pdf/FourthReport.pdf Fourth National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals]</ref> A number of flame retardants have been found in [[sewage sludge]]. According to chemist Arlene Blum:<ref>Arlene Blum, "[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arlene-blum/killer-couch-chemicals_b_60754.html Killer Couch Chemicals]," Huffington Post, August 16, 2007, Accessed August 9, 2010</ref> "When tested in animals, fire retardant chemicals, even at very low doses, can cause endocrine disruption, thyroid disorders, cancer, and developmental, reproductive, and neurological problems such as learning impairment and attention deficit disorder. Ongoing studies are beginning to show a connection between these chemicals and autism in children." |
==Articles and resources== | ==Articles and resources== | ||
Revision as of 22:19, 4 September 2012
{{#badges: ToxicSludge}} Flame Retardants refer to over 175 different chemicals used to inhibit ignition of combustible organic materials. These chemicals are classified into groups including halogenated organic (typically brominated or chlorinated), phosphorus-containing, nitrogen-containing, and inorganic flame retardants.[1] The more than 75 chemicals included in the category of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are commonly used because they are effective and cheap. However, some are also dangerous to human health. Both Tris and polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) were proven harmful and thought to be phased out decades ago. However, Duke University chemist Heather Stapleton found chlorinated tris to be the most common flame retardant found in baby products since pentaBDE, a polybrominated diphenyl ether or PBDE, was pulled from the market, according to the Chicago Tribune.[2] Other BFRs, like PBDEs, are still in use today despite growing evidence of their danger to human health. PBDE production constitutes 25 percent of all flame retardant production.[3] A number of flame retardants have been found in sewage sludge. According to chemist Arlene Blum:[4] "When tested in animals, fire retardant chemicals, even at very low doses, can cause endocrine disruption, thyroid disorders, cancer, and developmental, reproductive, and neurological problems such as learning impairment and attention deficit disorder. Ongoing studies are beginning to show a connection between these chemicals and autism in children."
Contents
Articles and resources
Related SourceWatch articles
References
- ↑ Linda S. Birnbaum and Daniele F. Staskal, "Brominated Flame Retardants: Cause for Concern?", Environmental Health Perspectives, January 1, 2004, Accessed August 10, 2010
- ↑ Michael Hawthorne, Toxic roulette, Chicago Tribune, May 10, 2012
- ↑ Centers for Disease Control, Fourth National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals
- ↑ Arlene Blum, "Killer Couch Chemicals," Huffington Post, August 16, 2007, Accessed August 9, 2010
External resources
External articles
- Arlene Blum, "Flame retardants, policy, and public health: past and present," 4th International Conference on the History of Occupational and Environmental Health, June 2010
- Arlene Blum and Linda Birnbaum, "Halogenated Flame Retardants in Consumer Products: Do the Fire Safety Benefits Justify the Health and Environmental Risks?," 5th International Symposium on Brominated Flame Retardants, April 2010
- Arlene Blum, "Killer Couch Chemicals," Huffington Post, August 16, 2007
- Arlene Blum, "Chemical Burns," New York Times, November 19, 2006
- Linda S. Birnbaum and Daniele F. Staskal, "Brominated Flame Retardants: Cause for Concern?", Environmental Health Perspectives, January 1, 2004
- Heather M. Stapleton, Susan Klosterhaus, Sarah Eagle, Jennifer Fuh, John D. Meeker, Arlene Blum, and Thomas F. Webster, "Detection of Organophosphate Flame Retardants in Furniture Foam and U.S. House Dust", Environmental Science & Technology, August 13, 2009.
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