Lessons Learned From Flame Retardant Use And Regulation Could Enhance Future Control Of Potentially Hazardous Chemicals

Abstract

Flame retardant chemicals, used in many furniture and electronic products to slow combustion, are an example of science and policy problems related to chemical usage. Drawing on a literature review and interviews with stakeholders, we argue that early warnings of the health hazards some flame retardants pose were not heeded as their use expanded to different products. Continued use of flame retardants coincides with their increased presence in people and adverse human health effects. We recommend policy changes applicable to oversight of chemicals in general: examining classes of chemicals rather than individual ones, assessing alternative methods and materials, product labeling, and stronger regulation.

Human Excretion of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether Flame Retardants: Blood, Urine, and Sweat Study

“…The first and critical line of defense when dealing with PBDEs is undoubtedly to reduce exposure through better understanding exposure pathways, strategies to limit exposure to products containing PBDEs in homes, schools, and work environments, and legislative action [47, 147]. This study, however, provides baseline evidence for induced perspiration as one potential approach for the therapeutic elimination of PBDEs.…”

Defining and defending risk: conceptual risk formulas in environmental controversies

“…'^Another noted that risk assessment does not adequately protect vulnerable populations since it is often based on Ba healthy, white, 30-year-old, 150 pound maleâ nd ignores vulnerable populations, cumulative exposures, and synergistic effects. This is a common argument in environmental health social movements (Brown 2007). Activists told me that determinations of risk require unreasonably high standards of proof and impossibly large volumes of data, leading to easy manipulation of assessments, and creating a bias toward the finding of Bno risk.^They would likely agree with former EPA Administrator William Ruckelshaus, who wrote, Brisk assessment data can be like the captured spy: if you torture it long enough, it will tell you anything you want to know^ (Ruckelshaus 1984).…”

Strategic Science Translation and Environmental Controversies

“…Many current-use flame retardants are chemically similar in form, function, and history of use to those banned previously because of health concerns (Blum 2007). The amount of research on flame retardants has greatly increased in the past decade, and the class of chemicals remains controversial because of uncertainties about fire danger, chemical hazards, public exposure, environmental outcomes, and replacement chemicals (Brown and Cordner 2010). People are exposed to flame retardants through household dust, physical contact, air, ingestion, and smoke.…”