Consumers are cautioned to the presence of PBDEs in everyday products.
PBDEs (Polybrominated diphenyl ethers) are a class of brominated flame retardants used commonly in electronic goods from computers to household appliances such as televisions, telephone handsets, kitchen appliance casings, etc.
The flame retardants are present also in a wide variety of products such as electronic toys, car interiors, carpets, polyurethane foams in furniture and beddings.
The widespread use of flame retardants in products have improved public safety by reducing the flammability of everyday items, and increased the fire safety of plastics and other materials in homes and offices.
However, PBDEs are not without any drawback; and there has recently been increased attention to their potential impact on the environment and the human health.
The concern is that PBDEs are persistent in the environment, and can bioaccumulate which means they can be absorbed by living organisms. Already traces of PBDEs have been found in human breast milk and in other animal species such as fish and birds.
In studies on rats and mice exposed to PBDEs for long period, their effects on behavioural development, nervous system development, the liver and thyroid have been observed.
In 2004, the European Union took steps to ban the use of pentaBDE and OctaBDE, 2 of 3 main types of PBDEs. And, in July 2008, the use of decaBDE was also included in the list of banned substances.
As a matter of precaution, consumers are advised to minimize exposure to PBDEs.
Exposure may come from dust and food that may contain PBDEs. As PBDEs are added to the many household products rather than chemically bound, PBDEs can be slowly and continuously released from the products while in use.
Consumers will do well to take some sensible steps to minimize PBDEs exposure:
- Check with the manufacturers or their websites for information if PBDEs are added to in their products.
- Remove dust and allow adequate ventilation and good airflow, particularly in rooms with mechanical ventilation system by cleaning the inlets and exhaust louvers and air ducts regularly.
- Wash hands regularly, in particular before eating.
- Dispose of products with PBDEs properly.
- As PBDEs get into the food chain too, and since PBDEs are stored in fatty issue, trim away the fat in food and limit the consumption of fatty foods.
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