American homes are contaminated with high levels of toxic fire retardants linked to brain and nerve damage, according to the first nationwide study for PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers) in house dust.
The Study, by the Environmental Working Group, a consumer advocacy group that exposes chemical threats, found high levels of these neurotoxic chemicals in every home sampled.
EWG’s tests indicate that consumer products such as computers, TVs, furniture, carpets and drapes, not industrial releases, are the most likely sources of the rapid buildup of PBDEs in people, animals and the environment. “Our findings raise concerns that children may ingest harmful amounts of brominated fire retardants via dust, and indicate neither the pending federal phaseout or regulations enacted or under consideration in seven states go far enough,” the group said in a press release posted on their web site.
EWG reports that under an agreement between the Environmental Protection Agency and chemical manufacturers, two of the three main PBDEs in use, Penta and Octa, will be taken off the U.S. market at the end of 2004. The group claims that the fire retardants industry is fighting to retain use of the third and most heavily used compound, Deca – despite clear evidence that it is toxic, builds up in people, animals and the environment, and can break down to the more harmful forms being phased out.
In September 2003, nationwide tests by EWG found record levels of PBDEs in the breast milk of American mothers. This follow-up study of household dust includes 10 of the 20 participants from the breast milk study, and is the first study to compare the concentrations of fire retardants in people and in their homes.
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