What's New
Environment Connecticut is supporting legislation that phases out uses
of toxic flame retardants, known as PBDEs, in favor of safer
alternatives. These toxic flame retardants are accumulating in our
environment, and our bodies. They harm children’s brain development,
and researchers are finding in increasingly high levels in the milk of
American mothers.
Toxic flame retardants have been banned in Europe, and many companies
such as Dell and Apple have switched to safer alternatives. But some
manufacturers of electronics, furniture and mattresses are continuing
to increase their use even though safer, effective alternatives are
available.
How You Can Help
Please ask your legislator
to protect the health of Connecticut’s children by supporting HB 6871
to ban the use of toxic flame retardants wherever safer alternatives
are available.
Brief Summary
The toxic flame retardants known as PBDE’s, are used in many common
products in our homes and businesses. Most commonly, they are added to
plastic electronic enclosures such as televisions and laptop computers,
as well as textiles like furniture, curtains and mattresses. Like their
chemical cousin PCBs did before they were banned in the 1970’s, PBDE’s
are rapidly building up in our environment and our bodies.
Threatening our Health and our Environment
Like PCBs, PBDEs alter thyroid hormone levels. This threatens to harm
children’s normal brain development, leading to learning and motor
skill impairment. Studies of mice exposed to PBDEs produced learning
and movement problems that worsened as the animals grew older.
Unfortunately, research suggests that PBDE exposure in humans may
produce effects as serious — or worse — than has been documented in
animals. This is especially concerning considering that past studies
showed that humans were as much as 1,000 times more sensitive to the
health effects of PCB exposure than rodents were.
PBDEs are also being found in rising numbers of wildlife, including birds and sea animals.
Better, Safer, Healthier Alternatives
Safer and healthier alternatives to PBDEs are available today. Some
products can be manufactured using inherently less-flammable materials
and designs, while others can incorporate less toxic flame retardant
additives. The European Union has now banned these toxic chemicals in
favor of safer alternatives in order to reduce human and wildlife
exposure. Electronics companies like Dell, HP, and Apple have stopped
using PBDEs, and home furnishings retailer IKEA has eliminated PBDEs
from products sold in its stores.
Environment Connecticut is urging the legislature to pass HB 6871. This
bill would immediately begin the phasing out of use of PBDEs in all
products manufactured or sold in the state if safer alternatives are
available.
