A Small Dose of PBDEs

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References / Additional Information (updated 4/27/05)

PBDEs DOSSIER
Name: Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)
Use: widely used a flame retardants
Source: foam cushions, plastics (computer cases), some fabrics
Recommended daily intake: none (not essential)
Absorption: readily absorbed, stored in fat
Sensitive individuals: fetal, found in women's breast milk
Toxicity/symptoms: no human data, animal studies indicated developing nervous system
Regulatory facts: government is working on it, some forms (penta and octa) are being withdrawn
General facts: long history of use
Environmental: widely distributed in environment
Recommendations: reduce exposure

Washington State response to PBDE exposure
WA State Department of Health - PBDEs
Washington State Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether (PBDE) Chemical Action Plan: Interim Plan
Summary of plan. - executive summary of WA State Plan
HB 1488 (House Bill) companion to SB 5515
SB 5515 (Senate Bill) companion to HB 1488
"fiscal note" expected costs for the bill. ($260K for the biennium)

REFERENCES / ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• England –”

North American Agencies

• U.S. ATSDR - Polybrominated Biphenyls and Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers
  (PBBs AND PBDEs) Fact sheet on PBDEs. (accessed: 22 August 2004).
• Washington State Department of Ecology : PBDEs - development of a Chemical Action Plan for WA State. (accessed: 22 August 2004).

Non-Government Organizations

• Environmental Working Group (EWG) - PBDEs: Toxic effects of fire retardants. (accessed: 22 August 2004). Information and EWG reports on PBDEs in dust and mothers milk.
• Indiana University - PBDEs in the Great Lakes, lake trout - data showing trends of increased PBDEs in lake trout. (accessed: 22 August 2004).
• Natural Resources Defense Council - Healthy Milk, Healthy Baby Chemical Pollution and Mother's Milk - PBDEs. (accessed: 22 August 2004).

Washington State response to PBDE exposure

• Washington State Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether (PBDE) Chemical Action Plan: Interim Plan
• Summary of plan.

References

• Birnbaum, L. S., & Staskal, D. F. (2004). Brominated flame retardants: cause for concern? Environ Health Perspective, 112(1), 9-17. (pdf file online at EHP)
• Eriksson, P., Jakobsson, E., & Fredriksson, A. (2001). Brominated flame retardants: a novel class of developmental neurotoxicants in our environment? Environ Health Perspect, 109(9), 903-908. (pdf file online at EHP)
• Hooper, K., & McDonald, T. A. (2000). The PBDEs: an emerging environmental challenge and another reason for breast-milk monitoring programs. Environ Health Perspect, 108(5), 387-392. (pdf file online at EHP)
• Hooper, K., & She, J. (2003). Lessons from the polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs): precautionary principle, primary prevention, and the value of community-based body-burden monitoring using breast milk. Environ Health Perspect, 111(1), 109-114. (pdf file online at EHP)
• Viberg, H., Fredriksson, A., Jakobsson, E., Orn, U., & Eriksson, P. (2003). Neurobehavioral derangements in adult mice receiving decabrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE 209) during a defined period of neonatal brain development. Toxicol Sci, 76(1), 112-120.