Toxic Flame Retardants - What Every

Health Care Provider Should Know

What are Toxic Flame Retardants?

Toxic Flame Retardants, or Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are chemicals added to clothing, furniture, and electronic equipment like computersto make them less flammable. These chemicals are similar in structure to PCBs, a class of chemicals that were banned in the 1970’s and while still in all our bodies, the levels are decreasing. PBDE’s come in several important classes depending on the number of bromines attached. Penta BDE with 5 bromines, Octa with 8, and Deca with 10 are the major classes used. PBDEs were originally thought not to be absorbed by humans but are now found in us and our food. PBDEs do not directly chemically bond to the materials they are designed to protect and in some forms constitute 10-40% of the product. Thus, the molecules readily wipe off computer screens, are present in dust, and become airborne by evaporation and thus potentially inhaled[i].

Who is Exposed to PBDEs?

PBDEs are being found wherever they are looked for, from sperm whales in the Atlantic Ocean, to humans blood and mother’s breast milk here in Oregon.[ii] They cross the placenta with ease.[iii]Scientists are not sure the exact mode of absorption or why the levels vary, but absorption through the lungs occurs and penta and octa can be absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract and along with Deca are present in increasing levels in fat containing foods.[iv]. Their level in indoor air exceeds outdoor air, reflecting their location in household products. The levels of PBDEs in women’s breast milk in Canada and the US are 10-100 times higher than other countries, probably reflecting the higher use of flame retardants by North American countries. In addition, PBDEs are found in all humans tested in North America and body concentrations have been exponentially increasing, with a doubling time of 2 to 5 years. [v]

What Are the Health Effects of PBDE Exposure?

Research has established that PBDEs are persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic. They can cause liver damage, harm the developing brain and neurological system in growing infants and affect thyroid hormone levels, as reported by EPA scientist, Linda Birnbaum director of the Human Studies Division of the U.S. EPA’s National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory.[vi] Tests on mice conducted by Per Eriksson of Sweden’s Uppsala University show that PBDEs can cause neurotoxic effects similar to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)at levels only 10 times what is currently present in mother’s breast milk in the Pacific Northwest.[vii]

Possibly even more concerning is the current use of deca. While penta is being voluntarily withdrawn by its chemical manufacturer and octa PBDE is being phased out around the world, deca is still widely used in this country because it was originally thought to be stable. However, several new studies show that Deca breaks down when exposed to sunlight and when metabolized by fish. The breakdown products include the penta and octa forms that are more toxic and bioaccumulative[viii].

Are There Alternative Flame Retardants?

Yes. PBDEs have been completely banned in the European Union already and 75% of the global market already routinely uses non-brominated flame retardants. Examples of chemical alternatives include aluminum trihydroxide, ammonium polyphosphate, and red phosphorous.

How should I talk to my patients about toxic flame retardants?

Since PBDEs are found in many household products, it is nearly impossible to create a PBDE free environment. Only after PBDEs are phased out of use and production will levels in humans and in the environment start to decrease.

However, there are a few important things to tell patients. First of all, breast milk is still the healthiest food for babies. Breast milk contains beneficial compounds for an infant and offers significant health benefits for both mother and child, despite the presence of chemicals. Secondly, to reduce exposure to PBDEs, avoid crumbling furniture foam which may contain PBDEs. Patients should clean up carefully after removing or replacing foam padding from carpets or furniture. Women of childbearing age or certainly when pregnant should not do this work[ix]. To reduce exposure to bioaccumulative toxins such as PCBs and PBDEs, advise patients to reduce consumption of animal fat, especially fish high in fat such as sardines, farm-raised salmon, and other fish local fish from the Willamette or the Columbia with fish advisories for PCBs. When eating these fish:

Trim away fatty areas such as the belly, top of the back, and dark meat along the side.

Remove or puncture the skin before cooking to allow fat to drain off.

Broil, grill, roast or steam the fish on a rack to allow fat to drain.

Throw away fat drippings. Don’t use them in other cooking.
NOTE: These steps will not change the mercury levels in fish..[x]

What Have Other Governments Done?

The European Union and Maine have banned the octa, penta, and deca forms of PBDEs. California has banned the octa and penta forms, and states like Hawaii, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, and New York have introduced bills to phase out PBDEs in the past two years. The EPA and some states like Washington are working on plans to regulate PBDEs.

What Can I Do to Help Phase Out PBDEs in Oregon?

As a health care provider, you have a strong impact on your legislator's vote on this issue. This issue will come to a vote sometime after February. To see a sample letter you can send to your legislator, contact Angela Crowley-Koch at Oregon PSR at or at 503-274-2720. We can also begin to contact companies especially those in the electronics industry to encourage them to voluntarily phase out the use of PBDEs.

[i]Darnerud, Per Ola, et.al.. Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers: Occurrence, Dietary Exposure, and Toxicology” Environmental Health Perspectives. Supp.no.1, 109; p.49-68. 2001

[ii]Flame Retardants in the Bodies of Pacific Northwest Residents: A Study on Toxic Body Burden, Northwest

Environment Watch: September 29, 2004

[iii] Anita Mazdai, et al., “Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers in Maternal and Fetal Blood Samples,” Environmental

Health Perspectives November 2003: Volume 111, Number 14 (

2003/6466/6466.html).(we can delete the website citation if we have the rest of it-saves a line

[iv]Personal Communication, Schecter, Arnold: APHA conference Washington, DC 11/04

[v] Science News, Oct. 25, 2003: 164, 17.p266

[vi] Linda Birnbaum, et al., “Brominated Flame Retardants: Cause for Concern?” Environmental Health

Perspectives January 2004: Volume 112, Number 1 (

[vii] Per Eriksson et al., “A Brominated Flame Retardant, 2,2’,4,4;,5-Pentabromodiphenyl Ether: Uptake, Retention, and Induction of Neurobehavioral Alterations in Mice during a Critical Phase of Neonatal Brain Development,” Toxicological Sciences, 67:98-103 (2002)

[viii] Soderstrom G, Sellstrom U, de Wit C and Tysklind M, 2004. Photolytic Debromination of Decabromodiphenyl Ether (BDE 209), Environmental Science & Technology, 38(1): 127-132.

Stapleton HM, Alaee M, Letcher RJ and Baker JE, 2004. Debromination of the Flame Retardant Decabromodiphenyl Ether by Juvenile Carp (Cyprinus carpio) following Dietary Exposure, Environmental Science and Technology, 38(1): 112-119.

[ix]Casper, Beth. “High Chemical Levels found in breast milk.” Statesman JournalSept. 29, 2004

[x] Physicians for Social Responsibility and Association of Reproductive Health Professionals “Healthy Fish, Healthy Families.” June, 2004.