For up-to-date information on our efforts to get toxic flame retardants eliminated in Washington state, please see our 2007 Legislation to Eliminate PBDEs page, and our section of recent Press Clips.

PBDEs, or polybrominated diphenyl ethers, are industrial toxic chemicals, used for more than 30 years to retard flames in consumer electronic plastics, furniture, and mattresses.

There are three common mixtures of these chemicals — penta, octa, and deca.

• Penta and octa are no longer produced in the United States, but millions of pounds remain in homes, offices, and the environment due to extensive use in consumer products.
• Deca is still used widely, with about 50 million pounds a year in the United States used primarily in television casings. Deca demand is expected to grow because it can now be used to meet new federal fire-safety standards for mattresses.

Health Concerns

At very low levels PBDEs impair memory, learning, and behavior in laboratory animals. They also affect thyroid hormones and other bodily functions. Most at risk are developing fetuses, infants, and young children.

Scientific Studies Reveal Problems

There is strong scientific evidence that levels of PBDEs are rising rapidly in the environment and in human bodies, particularly in North America where the use of PBDEs is the highest.

• Recent studies by Environmental Working Group and Northwest Environment Watch show that women in Washington state and the United States have levels of PBDEs in their breast milk that are much higher than the levels found in European women.
• Studies in wildlife have shown that PBDE levels are rising at alarming rates, doubling every one to five years. In the Columbia River system, levels of PBDEs in fish doubled in a mere 1.6 years.
• Studies of Puget Sound marine life also reveal extensive growing PBDE contamination problems. In a recent Seattle Times article, leading scientist Dr. Peter Ross said, "Since the early 1980s, levels of those chemicals in southern Puget Sound harbor seals have soared, a sign of an emerging threat to local killer whales that also feed on fish."

Are there Alternatives to PBDEs?

Yes, many companies are meeting fire safety standards without the use of PBDEs. For example:

• There are PBDE-free products you can buy.
• Research by the Washington State Departments of Ecology and Health and the University of Massachusetts Lowell in the U.S., have shown that alternatives are widely available to deca-BDE. Other countries also have studies on the alternatives.
• Many companies have already eliminated or have committed to eliminating PBDEs, including Ikea, Dell, and Hewlett Packard.

Action in Washington State

Please see the Recent Media Coverage section below, or our Press Clips page for updates on the progress of the 2007 Washington State Legislature's work to pass a ban on PBDEs.

In January 2004, Washington Governor Gary Locke issued an Executive Order directing the Department of Ecology to develop a phaseout plan for all PBDEs.

In March 2004, the Washington State Legislature funded the development of the PBDE phaseout plan. The Departments of Ecology and Health released their final phaseout plan for PBDEs in January 2006 calling for a phaseout of all forms of PBDEs, including deca, as long as safer alternatives are available.

In March 2006, the Washington Legislature failed to pass legislation, but the Toxic-Free Legacy coalition plans to pursue legislation again in 2007.

Read the October 2006 National Geographic article on our "body burden" of toxic chemicals:

http://www.davidewingduncan.net/media/media_pollution.pdf

Recent Media Coverage:

USA Today
Monday, May 7, 2007
States and cities move to curb toxic substances the EPA hasn't

The Olympian
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
State gives green thumbs up

KING5.com
Thursday, February 8, 2007
New device may help ban PBDEs

The Olympian
Thursday, February 8, 2007
Lawmakers seek ban on products containing toxins

KOMO-TV.com
Thursday, February 8, 2007
State lawmakers seek to ban toxic chemical

The News Tribune
Sunday, February 4, 2007
Companies fight dirty for toxic product

The Olympian
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Ban flame retardants

Seattle Post-Intelligencer Editorial
Friday, January 19, 2007
Fire Retardant: Ban this chemical

Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Friday, January 12, 2007
Twist in effort to ban fire retardant
Chemical industry accused of smokescreen

The Olympian
Saturday, January 6, 2007
Environmentalists optimistic Legislature will lend a hand