PBDEs

Senate Democrats are extremely proud to have supported legislation banning the sale of products containing polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEs.

PBDEs are flame retardants found in: electronic devices; televisions; computers; foam cushions in furniture and cars; carpet padding; and fabrics and upholstery. Because they do not bind chemically with the plastic or other materials, PBDEs leach continuously from these products.

Recent studies show toxic flame retardants are building up rapidly in the environment and our bodies, including human breast milk. PBDEs have been found in extremely high levels in Washington eagle eggs and fish.

An alarming study of Puget Sound mothers released two years ago shows high levels of toxic flame retardants were found in every woman tested. Breast milk samples donated by nine Puget Sound women found toxic levels 20 to 40 times higher than levels found in women in Europe or Japan.

Tests on laboratory animals link high concentrations of PDBEs to harmful effects on brain and reproductive organ development, and disrupted thyroid and estrogen function.

The passage of House Bill 1024 represents a major victory for both the environment and public health. The bill follows the lead of 10 states that have banned two types of PBDEs, known as Penta and Octa, which are no longer being manufactured in the United States. But it also makes Washington the first state to phase out a third type, known as Deca – by far the most common form of PBDE.

The bill directs the state departments of Ecology and Health to work together to determine safe and effective alternatives to Deca.

It also creates a Fire Safety Committee composed entirely of firefighting professionals to ensure alternatives meet fire safety standards.

The ban on Deca goes into effect in 2011, when both of these conditions are met.