fire retardants

In the 1970s legislation was passed to incorporate fire retardant chemicals into many household products. These include furniture foams, textiles, carpets, curtains, mattresses, paints, home insulation, toys, electronics, phones, cables, car seats, many baby products, food packaging, car components and even surfboards. Nanoparticles of these chemicals circulate in our environment through household dust, air and water. 

The Guardian newspaper published an article about flame retardants in July 2019. The most common flame retardants are what is called ‘brominated’ which ‘belong to the same class of chemicals as PCBs ‘(organic chlorine compounds) which were banned by the Environmental Protections Agency (EPA) in 1979.’ ‘Since 2003 three out of more than 200 types of PBDE (see acronyms below) have been phased out or banned by the Environmental Protection Agency.’ PBDEs – another class of chemical used in fire retardant - have been shown in research to be ‘persistent, bio-accumulative and toxic to both humans and the environment’. A USA research paper entitled The Hidden Epidemic suggests that bromide might be responsible for pushing iodine out of the body. Bromide is found in baked products, plastics, pesticides, some soft drinks, fire retardants and swimming pools. Dr Veronique Desaulniers writes that bromide is ‘an environmental toxin and endocrine disrupter’. She suggests eating organic food where possible, avoid bottled water and spending long periods in swimming pools and jacuzzis.

A report in the Sunday Times (2017) headlined ‘Toxic fire-resistant sofas linked to surge in thyroid cancer.’ Scientists warn that decaBDE, a flame retardant used in most domestic sofas and mattresses can ‘cause cancer in adults and cognitive deficits in children’. The same article cited Cancer UK’s statistics that ‘thyroid cancer rates have risen 74% in a decade’.

Scientists have found that exposure to flame retardants can affect the nervous and reproductive systems, and more. An EPA report on HBCD (see acronyms below) another type of flame retardant refers to multiple studies showing potential effects on the liver, thyroid function and the endocrine system. Children with developing brains and bodies are particularly vulnerable. The Sunday Times’ article (2018) ‘Hormone alert as plastic chemical found in teens.’ suggests this is very probable. It describes a study at Exeter University which found that ‘more than 80% of teenagers (a group of 94 young people) have hormone-disrupting contaminants from the plastics industry in their blood and urine’. BPA ‘one of the most common plastics’ found the chemical in almost all of them. BPA ‘is a pervasive endocrine disruptor and most people are exposed on a daily basis’. Lorna Harris, Professor in Molecular Genetics at Exeter believes that ‘consumers should not be exposed to such chemicals’.

better choices

Buy non plastic toys and natural mattresses, particularly for children. 

Avoid products using polyurethane foam. Consider choosing older recycled furniture

Use only ‘healthy’ low VOC or non VOC paints

Consider replacing curtains with wooden shutters

Store food in non-plastic containers and use beeswax wraps, or greaseproof paper for food storage.

acronyms

BPA ‘one of the most common plastics’ found in packaging and bottles.

PFAs are known to disrupt the endocrine system – these are found in ‘flame retardants, pesticides artificial fragrances and plasticisers’. PFAs are known to remain persistent in the environment and in our bodies’.

HBCD – brominated flame retardants ‘have been added to polystyrene insulations.’ Professor Woolley describes these as an ‘endocrine disrupter’. 

PBDE – Professor Woolley cites Dr Heather Stapleton that PBDE was phased out from use as a flame retardant in 2004 due to ‘concerns about its tendency to concentrate in human tissues [leading] to potential human health effects’. 

PCB – Professor Woolley writes that these are used in transformers, plasticisers, wire insulators, metal coatings and other plastic products. ‘PCBs are banned in Europe but ‘remain persistent in the environment in landfill. If burned they emit dioxins.’

Tom Woolley Building Materials, Health and Indoor Air Quality (2017) pp. 80 & 185.

Unitedpatientsgroup.com  - article by Dr Veronique Desaulniers, 12/10/16

What is Bromide and how is it affecting my health, thyriod ...

The Guardian 26/7/19

Sunday Times 9/4/17 Toxic fire-resistant sofas

‘The Hidden Epidemic’ Organixx, USA– (undated)

Sunday Times February 2018 Hormone alert as plastic chemical found in teens.

What are PFAS chemicals, and where are they found?

https://www.ewg.org/pfaschemicals/what-are-forever-chemicals.html

Hundreds of everyday products are made with highly toxic fluorinated chemicals called PFAS. They build up in our bodies and never break down in the environment. Very small doses of PFAS have been linked to cancer, reproductive and immune system harm, and other diseases. For decades, chemical companies covered up evidence of PFAS' health hazards.

https://www.compliancegate.com › bisphenol-a-regulations-united-states-In the USA BPA is forbidden in the manufacture of any food or drinking receptacle  used by children under 3 years old.

https://www.clientearth.org › latest › press-office › press › eu-court-confirmed-chemical-bpa – an EU court ruling which confirms BPA is deemed of ‘very high concern for wildlife’.