AVOIDING CHEMICALS

I received this article today and thought I would pass it along.

With my mom sick right now I am especially interested in ways

to help her avoid exposure to more chemicals in her environment.

ewg.org/pbdefree

EWG’s Guide to PBDEs HOW TO AVOID PBDEs IN ELECTRONICS:

The form of PBDEs known as Deca is banned in 3 states, but is still

used in many electronic products.

Identify Deca-containing items around your house such as: TVs,

cell phones, computers, fax machines, remote controls,

video equipment, printers, photocopiers, toner cartridges, scanners,

electronic components, automobile fabrics, kitchen appliances,

fans, heaters or hair dryers, and water heaters.

Prevent young children from touching and especially mouthing

these fire-retardant items as much as possible (like your cell

phone or remote) and wash their hands prior to eating.

Shop PBDE-free.

Many companies have committed to avoid using PBDEs – ask

before you buy and choose PBDE-free products.

IN FOAM:

Inspect foam items.

Replace items with a ripped cover or foam that is misshapen

and breaking down. If you can’t replace these items, try to

keep the covers intact. Beware of older items like car seats and

mattress pads where the foam is not completely encased in a

protective fabric.

Use a vacuum fitted with a HEPA filter.

These vacuums trap small particles more efficiently and will likely

remove more contaminants and other allergens from your home.

High-efficiency HEPA-filter air cleaners may also reduce

particle-bound contaminants in your house.

Do not reupholster foam furniture yourself.

The reupholstering process increases exposure risk. Even those

items without PBDEs might contain other, poorly studied

fire retardants with potentially harmful effects.

Remove old carpet with care.

The padding may contain PBDEs. Keep your work area isolated

from the rest of your home. Clean up with a HEPA-filter vacuum

and mop to pick up as many of the small particles as possible.

When purchasing new products, ask the manufacturers what type

of fire retardants they use. PBDEs aren’t used in new foam, but

you’ll also want to avoid products with brominated fire retardants,

and opt for less flammable fabrics and materials, like leather,

wool and cotton. Be aware that “natural” latex foam will also contain

fire retardants.

What are PBDEs?

Chemical fire retardants are common in consumer products, particularly

in highly flammable synthetic materials. Some of the most

common are brominated fire retardants (BFRs), including PBDEs.

Where are PBDEs found?

PBDEs are most likely to be found in polyurethane foam products

manufactured before 2005 – like upholstered furniture,

mattresses, and pillows – and electronics. Therefore you’ll probably

find them in dozens of products in your home and office, from

the padding below your carpet, to your bed, couch, cell phone & TV.

What problems are associated with PBDEs?

PBDEs are found in the bodies of nearly every American.

Laboratory studies show that exposure to minute doses of

PBDEs at critical points in development can damage reproductive

systems and cause deficits in motor skills, learning, memory and

hearing, as well as changes in behavior. In addition, they

persist in the environment and therefore bioaccumulate in people.