Reducing your exposure to PBDEs in your home

[Guest guest]

Published on Environmental Working Group (_http://www.ewg.org_

(http://www.ewg.org/) )

Reducing your exposure to PBDEs in your home

By Carrie Gouldin

Created 7 Oct 2008 - 10:52pm

Published October 7, 2008

_http://www.ewg.org/pbdefree_ (http://www.ewg.org/pbdefree)

 

Polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs) are a class of toxic chemicals in

wide use to prevent the spread of fire and are likely to be found in dozens of

products in your home, from the padding below your carpet, to your bed,

couch or television screen. They are most commonly found in polyurethane foam

products and electronics.

POLYURETHANE FOAM PRODUCTS

(furniture, mattresses and foam items for infants and kids)

The form of PBDEs used in foam furniture was withdrawn from the US market

in 2005 after EWG and others reported widespread PBDE contamination in

people, households, wildlife and common foods. See EWG's work on PBDEs [1] for

more information.

New foam items do not likely contain PBDEs. However, mattresses, mattress

pads, couches, easy chairs, foam pillows (including breastfeeding pillows),

carpet padding, and other foam items purchased before 2005 are likely to

contain them. PBDEs were also used in vehicle seating, car seats, and office

furniture. We urge you to take these simple steps to avoid contact with

PBDE-containing items still in your homes, offices and vehicles.

1. Inspect foam items. Replace anything with a ripped cover or foam that

is misshapen and breaking down. If you cannot replace these items try to

keep the covers intact. Beware of older items like car seats and mattress pads

where the foam is not completely encased in a protective fabric.

2. Use a vacuum fitted with a HEPA filter. These vaccuums are more

efficient at trapping small particles and will likely remove more contaminants

and

other allergens from your home. HEPA-filter air cleaners may also reduce

particle-bound contaminants in your house.

3. Do not reupholster foam furniture. Even those items without PBDEs might

contain poorly studied fire retardants with potentially harmful effects.

4. Be careful when removing old carpet. The padding may contain PBDEs.

Keep your work area isolated from the rest of your home. Clean up with a

HEPA-filter vacuum and mop to pick up as many of the small particles as

possible.

5. When purchasing new products ask the manufacturers what type of fire

retardants they use. Avoid products with brominated fire retardants, and opt

for less flammable fabrics and materials, like leather, wool and cotton. Be

aware that " natural " or latex foam will also contain fire retardants.

ELECTRONICS

The form of PBDEs known as Deca is used in computer and television monitors

— as well as other electronic products. Deca is not subject to any use

restrictions, despite the fact that is has been detected at higher

concentrations in children, and is toxic to animals. It has been shown to break

down

in to more toxic forms once it enters the environment.

In response to restrictions on toxic chemical in electronic products sold

in Europe, and several U.S. states major manufacturers have taken the

initiative to remove PBDEs from their electronic products world-wide. We have

identified a number of major manufacturers who have pledged to eliminate

PBDEs.

When purchasing new products look for these brands, which have publicly

committed to phasing out all brominated fire retardants: Acer, Apple, Eizo

Nanao, LG Electronics, Lenovo, Matsushita, Microsoft, Nokia, Phillips,

Samsung, Sharp, Sony-Ericsson, and Toshiba

Panasonic has agreed to eliminate all bromine-containing fire retardants

from mobile phones and computers by 2011, but does not give a commitment or

timeline for the remainder of their products. Dell has incomplete

restrictions. Motorola's phase-out of BFRs is limited to their ECOMOTO phone

line.

The following companies have or are phasing out Deca, but may use other

bromine-based fire retardants in their products: Canon, Daikin, Intel, IBM, HP

(Hewlett Packard), Minolta, Mitsubishi, Motorola, NEC, Nokia, Xerox.

Scan your house for Deca-containing items. The chemical can be found in:

* Electronics TV components, mobile phones, fax machines, remote

controls, video equipment, printers, photocopiers, toner cartridges, scanners.

 

* Transportation electronic components, automobile fabrics, plastics

and electronics.

* Household items kitchen appliances, fans, heaters or hair dryers,

curtains and drapes, water heaters, and lamp sockets.

 

Source URL:

_http://www.ewg.org/pbdefree_ (http://www.ewg.org/pbdefree)

 

Links:

[1] http://www.ewg.org/chemindex/term/492