BFRs (brominated flame retardants)
There are more than 75 brominated flame retardants (BFRs). These are used in plastics, rubbers, an textiles. BFRs are used as fire retardants in the electronics industry, eg in computers, televisions. They are neurotoxins. One of the most commonly used fire retardant chemicals is polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) – there are three PBDE: penta-, octa- and deca-BDE. BFRs especially PBDEs, are persistent in the environment and contaminate the food chain, animals, and people. PBDEs are of particular concern because of their capacity to bioaccumulate in fatty tissue and biomagnify up the food chain, and because of their persistence and toxicity.
Brominated compounds such as PBDEs account for approximately 25 percent of 600,00 tons of flame-retardants produced each year. It is most likely that these compounds will make environmental catastrophes similar to PCBs.
The Computer Take-Back Campaign and Clean Production Action conducted a nationwide test in the US for BFRs in dust on computers. They found BFRs on every computer tested – the most commonly found was PBDE. The highest levels found were for deca-BDE. Other brominated blame retardants identified in the analyses were acta- and nona-BDE as well as tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA). The bromine and electronics industries claim that TBBPA is less likely to find its way into the environment than other brominated flame retardants, but they still are there. The highest single deca-BDE sample came from a new flat screen monitor in a university office with no other computers.The findings indicate that computers are likely to be a significant source of deca-BDE exposure in the dust of homes, offices, schools and businesses. These are alarming results given the bioaccumulative nature of the chemicals. Even small amounts of exposure are cause for concern.
Research is showing that PBDEs and related compounds are being found almost everywhere scientist look for them eg in sediments, beluga whales, seals, bird eggs, human breast milk, serum and adipose tissue. Research findings show that North American women have the highest levels globally of these chemicals in their breast milk. Evidence continues to accumulate about their effect on the neurological and endocrine systems. It is reported that these levels are doubling every two to five years in the North American population. A Swedish study found a 50-fold increase in PBDEs in women's breast milk between 1972 and 1997.
Risk of exposure to BFRs from the electronics industry occurs primarily during manufacture, use and recycling, but as an environmental pollutant we are all at growing risk. BFR's use is not restricted to the electronics industry. They are used in many other applications, including upholstery and cars. Electronics recycling exposed workers to high levels of BFRs.
Research cited in the journal Environmental Science and Technology shows that that managers of recycling companies do not have enough information about the issue. There is little or no information on the environmental or human health effects easily available.
It is universally agreed that preventing fires and reducing burn time is critical in buildings, transportation vehicles, and consumer products. However, in the face of the evidence and increasing chemical contamination of the general public, it can no longer be ignored that BFRs pose a high risk to public health and to the environment.