title: Brominated Flame Retardants

 

The arguments aganist using BFR's

 

The dangers of Brominated Flame Retardants

Research into the use of BFRs has given these results:

 

symbol: toxic









symbol: harmful to the environment

  • High levels of Polybrominated diphenylether (PBDE) have been found in breast milk.

  • PBDE accumulates in the brains of mice developing in the uterus.

  • PBDE appears to cause problems in the brains of mice that have been exposed to it as a foetus.

  • Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBP-A) can interfere with the thyroid gland in mice

  • BFRs accumulate in the environment. They do not decompose naturally. They concentrate in the fats of animals and humans. Studies have found them in the blubber of Sperm Whales in the Atlantic Ocean and also Salmon of Lake Michigan.

 

 

 

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Effects of BFRs on humans

The effects of BFRs are not really understood. Some groups have suggested that a long-term exposure to BFRs could result in cancer, liver damage and thyroid problems.

Dr. Michael Warhurst, from the Friends of the Earth, says that BFRs could damage the development of children's minds and calls for them to be banned. He goes on to say that, "It is time the (chemical) industry faced up to its responsibilities and acted to protect human health and the environment."

 

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Risks and benefits

Flame retardants save lives and their health effects are not yet fully known. The next section puts forward the argument for keeping BFRs.