do flame-retardants save lives or endanger children? - household electrical appliances

Sharon CollinsCNN headline news '); }else if (host. indexOf("asia. cnn. com")! = -1 ){document. write(
Monday, May 5, 2003 at 11: 22 p. m. 1522 GMT)'); }else if (host. indexOf("edition. ")! = -1 ){document. write(
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Popular flame PBDE
According to EPA scientist Tom McDonald and Kim Hooper, flame retardant chemicals may be future PCB.
A study conducted by MacDonald and Hooper in May 2000 showed that PBDEs were transmitted from adults to children through the placenta and breast milk.
"This is mainly a child problem," McDonald said . ".
"The health issue we are most concerned about is that PBDEs seem to be harmful to the developing brain. . . .
This leads to a decline in their learning ability, memory ability, an increase in ADHD, and even hearing loss.
"PBDEs have been used in flames --
Delays since the 1960 s
They exist in common household items such as electrical appliances, TV sets, computer circuit boards, building materials, etc.
From cars to planes, as well as carpets and curtains, there are also PBDEs in the interior decorations used in homes, businesses and vehicles.
They are structurally very similar to the pcb, which is used for electrical insulation and has been banned since 1979.
Like PCBs, they have been in the environment for decades.
Polyurethane foam and contaminated fish are considered to be the main transmitters of multi-killing Fen on humans.
When the polyurethane foam in the old furniture breaks or burns, PBDEs releases into the air.
These chemicals eventually enter the waterway and pollute the fish.
Once in the environment, PBDEs accumulate in the fat of animals.
When one animal eats the other, the concentration of multi-killing Fen in the food chain increases.
Since humans are at the top of the food chain, they have the highest concentration.
Research shows that the concentration of Americans doubled every two to five years.
Scientists are concerned about the geometric growth of concentration.
Early in the middle,
1990 s, European companies began to voluntarily and gradually stop production of PBDEs.
Earlier this year, the European Union banned some PBDEs.
Levels of PBDE are falling in European countries that are discontinued.
Prices are still rising in the United States without a ban.
"Now in the United States, we are at the highest level in the world," McDonald said . ".
At the same time, the United States chemical Commission's BR flame retardant industry team prepared a risk assessment of flame retardant using PBDE.
The panel is made up of three chemical companies, including abermal.
Great Lakes Chemical Co. , Ltd.
The only two companies in the United States that make flames
Delay agent containing PBDEs.
The conclusion of the assessment is that the PBDE called deca-
BDE "is a large and poorly absorbed molecule with little toxicity, no damage to development or reproduction, and no mutation.
"There are other options for the use of PBDE.
"There are a number of proactive companies, such as computer maker IBM, furniture maker Ikea, car maker Volvo, which all produce products that meet the strict requirements of California --
Still, PBDEs are not used, "said McDonald.
But it's not clear if or when PBDEs will be banned in the United States. S.
Because, unlike Europe, chemicals cannot be banned until there is no proof of injury or risk.
Marty Maxwell contributed to the article.