#pbde

"These findings reinforce the decision to phase-out PBDEs from consumer products," says senior author Julie Herbstman, PhD, associate professor of Environmental Health Sciences. "However, it's important to remain vigilant. Since the phase-out of PBDEs, we have begun to detect other flame-retardant chemicals in children, which are likely being used as replacements."

Common flame retardant chemical disrupts a hormone that is essential to life

 Brominated fire retardants, used in many consumer products and known to cause hormonal irregularities, overstimulates an adrenal gland hormone in a way that may lead to the development of cardiovascular disease, new research in human cells finds. Researchers will present their study results Saturday at the Endocrine Society's 98th annual meeting in Boston.      

US Manufacturers of Flame Retardants

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“Leading furniture manufacturers adopting California’s product labeling bill for flame retardants is a very positive step because it means increased availability of products across the United States that do not contain toxic flame retardants,” said International Association of Fire Fighters President Harold Schaitberger.(More…)

We assessed the information available on…

Environ. Sci. Technol. 2004, 38, 4293-4299

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), and polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) were quantified in blubber biopsy samples collected from free-ranging male and female killer whales (Orcinus orca) belonging to three distinct communities (southern residents, northern residents, and transients) from the northeastern Pacific Ocean.

10 Years After PBDE Ban, Bay Area Wildlife Shows Promising Signs of Recovery

Antartide. I pesci come sensori di inquinamento

I pesci dell’Antartide accumulano nel proprio organismo diversi composti sintetici di uso agrochimico, industriale o farmaceutico. Ciò li rende sensori monitorabili, per registrare il tasso di inquinamento ambientale.

Ora, gli scienziati argentini suggeriscono una strategia per migliorare la precisione delle misurazioni.

Gli scienziati argentini e dell’Università di Amberes (Belgio), guidati…

Cats, Chemicals and Consumer Power

"If you have an older cat, there’s a good chance it has high thyroid levels.  About 10 percent of older cats have this condition, called hyperthyroidism, which can cause weight loss, an unkempt appearance, and agitation.  Unfortunately, it requires lifelong treatment, usually a daily medication

Curiously, hyperthyroidism in cats was virtually unknown before 1979.  Another curious fact is that homes where cats with hyperthyroidism live tend to contain dust with higher levels of a certain flame retardant than homes with healthy cats.

Coincidence?  Not likely.  The flame retardant, called PBDE, is often found in polyurethane foam, which gives structure and softness to upholstered furniture.  When people sit down, PBDE poofs out and accumulates in house dust.  When cats groom themselves, they ingest the dust and the PBDE, which is structurally similar to thyroid molecules."