Flame retardants, health effects

J. W. HoUeman, Health Effects of Haloalky I Phosphate Flame Retardants and Potential Metabolic Products, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Term., 1984, DOE/NBM-4006848 (DE84 006848),... 

The Ebro catchment is the largest river basin in Spain. It covers an area of 85,362 km2 (http //www.chebro.es) and receives the potential influence of three million people. It suffers a considerable ecological impact from different industrial activities located predominantly in the last third of its course. These activities result on the release to the Ebro River and to some of its tributaries of Tm quantities of chlorinated organic compounds, PBDE and other brominated flame retardants, mercury, and other metals. In addition, intensive agricultural practices, mainly concentrated in the last 30 km of the river course and in its Delta, imply the use of large quantity of pesticides and fertilizers. In this paper, we review physiological effects of these pollutants in resident fish and shellfish populations and provide a general picture of the health status of the low course of the Ebro River. 

The Danish Environmental Protection Agency also investigated the profiles of 12 non-brominated flame retardants for environmental and health effects. From a survey of published literature, they found that the amount of data available is often very limited, particularly for important criteria such as degradation. Furthermore, the screening study showed that the majority of the alternatives also had undesirable environmental and health characteristics, but an assessment was needed to determine the amount and the manner in which they are released before a conclusion could be drawn. ... 

Abstract We have reviewed the human exposure to selected emerging organic contaminants, such new brominated flame retardants, organophosphate flame retardants, phthalate substitutes, triclosan, synthetic musks, bisphenol-A, perchlorate, and polycyclic siloxanes. Levels of these emerging contaminants in matrices relevant for human exposure (air, dust, food, water, etc.) and in human matrices (blood, urine, or tissues) have been reviewed, together with some of the relevant health effects reported recently. 

Due to their adverse health effects, several restrictions and bans have been imposed on the usage of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), namely the penta-, octa-, and deca-BDE formulations, in Europe, China, North America, and Japan (http //www. bsef.com). The restricted usage of these PBDEs increased the market demand for substitute brominated flame retardants (BERs) including hexabromocyclododecanes... 

Following receipt of data the Commission drew up priority lists of substances that, on the basis of that data, were thought to have the potential to pose a risk of harm to human health or the environment. By the publication of the EU White Paper in 2001, four lists, containing a total of 141 substances, had been adopted by the relevant technical committee (CEC, 2001). The progress of these risk assessments was very slow. Risk assessment of hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), for example, commenced in 1997 but was still not completed nine years later (ENDS, 2006). In 2006 around 16,700 tonnes of HBCD were produced every year for use as a flame retardant. It may have neurotoxic effects and interfere with the metabolism of thyroid hormone, but because risk assessment of it had not reached a conclusion there were no restrictions on its use. By 2006 final risk assessment reports were available for only about 70 substances (European Commission, 2006b) — less than 0.5 per cent of the 30,000 or so existing substances on the European market at quantities of above 1 tonne per annum. 

Renner R. 2001. Firesafe but not failsafe. Flame retardants cause neurotoxic effects. Environ Health Perspect 109(9) A434-435. 

Even though I study toxic chemicals every day, I have many more questions than answers. There are more than 80,000 in use in this country, and less than 5 percent have been tested for their effects on human health and development. In some cases, like lead, it took decades of documenting serious ill effects before it was removed from products like paint and gasoline. Are phthalates the next lead Or is it going to be one of the hundreds of pesticides for which evidence of harm is mounting Or is it toxic flame retardants ... 

In Washington State, HB 1024 provides definitions and establishes a process under which the State of Washington can identify, analyze, and approve alternative flame-retardants that could come into use in Washington to replace the use of deca-BDE.100 The Departments of Ecology and Health, as well as a newly created fire safety committee, will have to determine that any proposed alternative flame-retardant is safer and technically feasible and meets applicable fire safety standards as a replacement for deca-BDE in televisions, computers, and domestic upholstered furniture. No prohibition on the use of deca-BDE in these applications can go into effect prior to January 1, 2011, provided suitable alternative flame-retardants are available. The bill places a prohibition on the use of deca-BDE in mattresses beginning January 1, 2008 however, this has no practical impact, since deca-BDE is not actually used in residential mattresses. All uses of deca-BDE not specifically mentioned in the legislation are exempt. 

Chlorinated paraffins (mainly CPVC) are widely used in PVC to give greater resistance to ignition and combustion than general-purpose plasticisers. However, the effects of chloroparaffins on health are still a controversial issue and their use as flame-retardants in PVC applications for cables, wall coverings and flooring is declining. 

Brominated flame retardants are widely used as polymer additives in plastics, electric appliances, and textile and polyurethane foams. Some of the technical flame retardant products contain brominated organic compounds, including polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers. These compounds are structurally similar to PCBs and, therefore, their chemical properties, persistence, bioaccumulation, and distribution in the environment follow similar patterns. Moreover, they have potential endocrine disrupting properties and there are concerns over their exposure health effects. 

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