Risk-Ed - Examples

The case for BFR's

Safer houses

photo: living room

Brominated Fire Retardants save over an estimated 140 lives a year in the UK.
In 1997 there were 1400 fires in the UK that involved old furniture without BFRs. These caused 500 injuries and 40 deaths.
In 1997, there were 3 fires involving modern furniture with BFRs. There was 1 injury and 1 death.

Safer electrical equipment

photo: computer

BFRs reduced the incidence of electrical fires in the USA by 73%.
Resulting in 270 lives being saved in the US each year.

Is it sensible to compare lives saved in fires with the possible health problems of BFRs.

Safer buildings

BFRs make building materials safer.
Cinemas, theatres and clubs all have to comply with strict fire regulations. BFRs are important in these areas.
The use of flame retardants in furniture saves an estimated £1.1billion a year in the UK (DTI figures).

BFRs are safe

Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) has been shown to be safe by research carried out in the USA. Donald Gardner, President of Inhalation Toxicology Inc., reported that, "these chemicals can be used to treat residential furniture with minimal risk to human health."

Who's research do you believe? BFRs accumulate in breast milk and human tissues, so how can they be safe?

What should you ask the people that carry out these studies to make sure they are not biased?