Californian asks: Did the state kill my cat?

In an Op-Ed piece in the LA Times, executive director of the Green Science Policy Institute Arlene Blum asks whether the state of California could be responsible for her cat’s death.

Blum’s cat died after two years of suffering with hyperthyroid disease – a condition linked to high exposures to the flame retardant chemicals PBDEs.

The cat – Midnight – had PBDE levels which were among the highest documented in animal research.

As I stroked Midnight before she died, I thought about the canary in the coal mine warning of lethal gases. Perhaps the story of Midnight's death can help protect us all from unneeded toxic fire retardants in our homes.

Recent studies have shown that Californians have the highest level of PBDEs in the national – a phenomenon likely linked to a unique law in the state requiring furniture foam be flame resistant for 12 seconds. That law has lead manufacturers to load furniture in California with these toxic chemicals. Only now are we beginning to understand the associated health ramifications.

Studies have shown that pets are the most contaminated with these chemicals, followed by babies and toddlers and then adults.

Blum warned that Californians may soon be exposed to even more PBDEs. The state is expected to soon enact a new regulation that extends beyond furniture foam to include comforters, mattress pads and pillows, introducing even more toxic chemicals into California homes.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has the authority and responsibility to protect our health. He should instruct the bureau to stop California from being the only state requiring flame-retardant bed coverings, pillows and furniture. It's too late for Midnight, but hopefully our governor will withstand chemical industry pressure and act to protect our cats and our children from unneeded toxic chemicals in our homes.