Flame+Retardants

__FIRE! Call 911 ! __


**Abstract**
Many household products such as TV’s, drywall, and insulation contain chemicals known as flame-retardants, or PBDEs. These chemicals are designed to prevent the products from bursting into flames when overheated, or to protect the products from outside flames. In 2003 alone there was a global demand of 200,000 tons of PBDEs. However, when these products begin to degrade or are exposed to the elements, little by little these PBDEs leak out into the air, water, soil, and even food. Even if they leakage occurs in small amounts, because PBDEs are used just about everywhere and because the products containing PBDEs are produced in such high quantities, the chemicals are everywhere, accumulate, and spread.

The fact that these chemicals are leaking out into the environment has caused more harm than the good that they are meant to serve. Ninety-five percent of Americans have PBDEs in their blood. Studies have shown that women who have high levels of PBDEs are 30-50% less likely to become pregnant in a given month. Women that are lactating and have PBDEs in their blood will also have a lot in their breast milk. In studies on lab animals, PBDEs have been shown to cause brain and developmental damage; scientists believe the same might occur with humans. So, as it leaks into the environment, it contaminates the water supply, the air, the soil, and even food. Therefore, it affects the plants growing and causes genetic issues with animals, as shown with the lab animal studies. Europe and Canada has already put a ban on the chemicals, so the people who sell to those countries had to phase out the PBDEs. However, the use of these chemicals is still permitted in the United States. A law is being proposed to slowly cut the uses of PBDEs and find an alternative. However, it has yet to be passed, so these chemicals are still being produced and dispersed.

These studies and the effects that PBDEs have made it clear that the chemicals should be phased out and alternatives be found. Europe and Canada were able to successfully phase out PBDEs and find substitutes. Therefore, it is possible to do. The United States should follow their example and pass a federal law prohibiting the use of the chemicals. Flame-retardants have far too many negative effects on both humans and animals when they enter the environment. The cons of flame-retardant use outweigh the pros.

 Chemicals called polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEs, are used in all sorts of household products such as drywall, instillation, sofas, and televisions. The main purpose of the chemicals is to both prevent the products from bursting in flames and to protect them from the spread of outside flames. However, these chemicals are not only used in some household products, but in various products that people come in contact with on a regular basis such as electronics, carpets, and so forth. The main problem is that the chemicals are released very easily from these products. When discarded, the products are exposed to the elements, and the PBDEs leak out into the surrounding area. Once released, they contaminate the air, soil, water and even food. Scientists are not yet certain of all the side effects of PBDEs, but they are in the process of conducting several studies, and they have come to two definitive conclusions from what has already been studied. Lab animals suffered from brain and developmental damage when exposed to high levels of PBDEs, and fetuses and young children may suffer the same effects. Also, women with high levels of PBDEs in their blood have a 30-50% less chance of becoming pregnant in a given month. Europe and Canada have a complete ban on all flame retardants, however the United States still permits their use. There is a law pending that would order the use of PBDEs prohibited, but it still has a way to go before it is passed.

 PBDEs are easily available and help prevent rapidly spreading fires. Because of this, most manufacturers in the United States use the chemicals. Their widespread use could cause serious health problems, including developmental problems in young children and defects in animals. Although scientists are still researching the effects of PBDEs, they agree that the chemical is dangerous to animals and, in high levels, also pose a threat to humans. The United States is slowly starting to ban PBDEs, following the example of Europe and Canada – but the process is slow and often just state-by-state. The government should speed up this process and get PBDEs out of everyday products as quickly as possible before the ever-increasing levels cause health problems for the population.

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Flame-retardant chemical linked to conception problems. (2010, January 27). Retrieved from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_94553.html

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//By Elisa, Natasha, and Luna//

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