Washington bans toxic flame retardants

Washington state is taking the lead in protecting residents from exposure to toxic flame retardants, enacting a ban on a class of flame retardants that have been found harmful to human health. A new scientific study shows that the chemicals can even pass from mother to baby in the womb.

Washington's ban was passed in 2007 but was contingent on finding alternatives to the chemicals which would ensure fire safety. The banned flame retardants are polybrominated diphenyl ethers, also known as PBDEs. These chemicals are found in a variety of household products, including mattresses, upholstered furniture, televisions, computers and other electronics.

PBDEs have been found to harm brain development and disrupt hormones in studies of rodents. The chemicals are used to slow or stop fire from burning. The amount of PBDEs found in humans has grown rapidly over recent decades as the chemicals were used more and more in consumer goods. Levels found in young children are particularly high.

Manufacturers who plan to sell products in Washington will be required to replace PBDEs with safe alternatives, which were approved by a fire safety committee and the state’s fire marshal, according to a news release from the state’s Department of Ecology. The ban will go into effect January 2011.

Public officials in Washington praised the process, which allowed for the elimination of a toxic chemical without sacrificing public safety.

“Washington’s flame retardant law represents a comprehensive and common sense approach to protecting public health and our environment without sacrificing fire safety,” said Sen. Debbie Regala, D-Tacoma.  “It’s based on science and thorough study.”

Health concerns surrounding PBDEs continue to grow. A study recently published in Environmental Health News has found that PBDEs can pass from a pregnant mother to her baby where the chemicals are stored in the unborn baby’s liver. It is the first study of its kind – showing that babies can be exposed to PBDEs in the womb. Over the course of the eight year study, the levels of PBDEs found in fetuses grew consistently.