Why is polybrominated diphenyl ethers dangerous?
Regulations of PBDEs PBDEs are ubiquitous in the environment, and, according to the EPA, exposure may pose health risks. According to U.S. EPA’s Integrated Risk Information System, evidence indicates that PBDEs may possess liver toxicity, thyroid toxicity, and neurodevelopmental toxicity.
What contains polybrominated diphenyl ethers?
Finished products that may contain PBDEs are furniture foam padding; wire insulation; rugs, draperies, and upholstery; and plastic cabinets for televisions, personal computers, and small appliances.
What is polybrominated biphenyls used for?
PBBs are used as flame retardants of the brominated flame retardant group. They are added to plastics used in products such as home electrical appliances, textiles, plastic foams, laptop cabinets, etc. to make them difficult to burn.
Is PBDEs natural?
Technical Fact Sheet – PBDEs ❖ There are no known natural sources of PBDEs, except for a few marine organisms that produce forms of PBDEs that contain higher levels of oxygen (ATSDR 2015). ❖ PBDEs are structurally similar to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
How is polybrominated biphenyls dangerous to humans?
Some Michigan residents who were exposed to polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) in the 1973-74 contamination incident complained of nausea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, joint pain, fatigue, and weakness. More recent studies have suggested that PBBs may interact with the endocrine system (ATSDR 2004).
How do PBDEs affect humans?
Tetra-, Penta-, and Hexa-BDEs are the isomers most commonly found in humans. Based on studies on experimental animals, the toxicological endpoints of exposure to PBDEs are likely to be thyroid homeostasis disruption, neurodevelopmental deficits, reproductive changes, and even cancer.
Where are polybrominated diphenyl ethers found?
PBDEs are used as a flame-retardant and are found in consumer goods such as electrical equipment, construction materials, coatings, textiles and polyurethane foam (furniture padding). Similar in structure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), PBDEs resist degradation in the environment.
In what products are PBDEs commonly uses?
What are PBDEs commonly used for? The PBDEs are major components of commercial formulations often used as fire retardants in furniture foam, plastics for TV cabinets, consumer electronics, wire insulation, and back-coatings for draperies and upholstery, and plastics for personal computers and small appliances.
What does PBB do to humans?
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) determined that PBBs may reasonably be anticipated to be carcinogens. How does PBB exposure affect humans? Some PBB-exposed Michigan residents complained of nausea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, joint pain, fatigue and weakness.
Is PBDE a neurotoxin?
They are developmental neurotoxicants in animals. No human studies have assessed the developing neurotoxicity of PBDEs.
Are PBDEs banned?
The compounds, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEs – were banned after evidence emerged that they were doubling in women’s breast milk every five years. Their levels of total PBDEs were 65 percent lower than levels found in women tested in 2008 and 2009, who had some of the highest levels ever seen worldwide.
What are the different types of polybrominated diphenyl ethers?
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) include the commercial versions of pentabromodiphenyl ether (c-pentaBDE), octabromodiphenyl ether (c-octaBDE), and decabromodiphenyl ether (c-decaBDE). Each of these commercial products is a mixture composed of several PBDE congeners.
How are PBDEs and PBBs harmful to humans?
Another source of exposure results from breathing contaminated air or swallowing contaminated dust. Working in industries that make these chemicals or that make, repair, or recycle products containing these chemicals flame retardants can result in exposure. Human health effects from PBDEs and PBBs at low environmental exposures are unknown.
Why is the EPA so concerned about PBDEs?
PBDEs are used as flame retardants in a number of applications, including textiles, plastics, wire insulation, and automobiles. Why is EPA concerned about these chemicals? EPA is concerned that certain PBDE congeners are persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic to both humans and the environment.
Why are PBDEs not chemically bound to plastics?
PBDEs are not chemically bound to plastics, foam, fabrics, or other products in which they are used, making them more likely to leach out of these products. Despite the United States having phased out the manufacture and import of penta- and octaBDE in 2004, their component congeners are being detected in humans and the environment.