Some toddlers more exposed than others to flame retardants

Furniture is a common source of exposure
to flame retardants, researchers say.

Does race and socioeconomic status play a role in a child’s exposure to chemicals?

A study of North Caroline toddlers shows that non-white toddlers are more exposed to flame-retardant chemicals than white toddlers.

Exposure may be higher in toddlers whose fathers do not have a college degree, which serves as a proxy measure of lower socioeconomic background.

The toddlers are usually exposed through hand-to-mouth activity or factors related to age and duration of breastfeeding, the researchers say.

The study examined the levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in 83 toddlers between 12 and 36 months of age.

Sources of chemical exposure

PBDEs are a class of long-lasting chemicals, which were widely used as flame retardant additives in consumer products such as polyurethane foam padding, electronics, mattresses and furniture.

Toddlers (and adults) can inhale or ingest these chemicals, which can accumulate in the body and may be linked to disrupted endocrine activity and thyroid regulation, low birth weight and developmental problems.

House dust is a big source of exposure for toddlers, the study shows.

But dust can’t be the reason why there was such a big difference in exposure between nonwhite and white toddlers: white toddlers averaged 32 parts per billion of PBDE chemicals in their blood, while nonwhite toddlers averaged 60 parts per billion.

According to the researchers, the best ways to reduce exposure include:

• Frequent hand-washing
• Researching household products to find out which, if any, flame retardants are being used

 The study appeared in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives.

Source: Duke University

Air purifiers to battle dust, particles, airborne chemicals

Source control is a great way to reduce chemical exposures in the home, but so many products that are already there may be off-gassing chemicals and contribute to contaminated dust and other exposures.

The AirMedics are effective dust,
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That is why ventilation and air purification also play a major role in mitigating the risks of exposure to environmental pollution.

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New flame retardants, new concerns

Researchers found that flame retardant levels are rising.

They replace one type of chemical with another, but the health effects of new flame retardants have become a new topic of concern.

Originally created to replace older chemicals that were believed to be a threat to the environment, the new flame retardants are now widespread in the air near the Great Lakes, a new report shows.

Back in the 1970s, manufacturers started using old flame retardant chemicals in their products (including upholstered furniture, electronics, clothing, mattresses).

The problem with those flame retardants was their volatility. The polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs) easily off-gas into the ambient air where they can become an environmental threat.

In order to replace PBDEs, the industry introduced new formulations  that contain 2-ethylhexyl-2,3,4,5-tetrabromobenzoate (TBB) and bis(2-ethylhexyl)-tetrabromophthalate (TBPH). But these chemicals could also have environmental risks: Research has suggested that the compounds can build up in fish and damage their DNA.

As it turns out, these new flame retardants can be found in the air in the Great Lakes region. Researchers monitored the air for levels of TBB and TBPH and collected samples between 2008 and 2010.

They detected TBB and TBPH in the vast majority of samples from Chicago and Cleveland, where levels of the compounds doubled approximately every 13 months.

It wasn’t only an urban phenomenon, as they also found the compounds in air samples from rural sites (those levels doubled every 19 months).

More research is needed into the effects of these new flame retardants on the environment.

Source: Chemical & Engineering News 

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Indoor Air Quality News: Study finds flame retardants at high levels in pet dogs

It seems even the family dog may benefit from cleaner indoor air.

A new study by Indiana University scientists have found chemical flame retardants in the blood of pet dogs at concentrations five to 10 times higher than in humans.

"Even though they've been around for quite awhile, we don't know too much about these compounds' toxicological effects on humans or animals," says study author Marta Venier.

"The bottom line is that we still need to keep measuring them, particularly in homes."


The study focuses on the presence of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in the blood of dogs and in commercial dog food.

PBDEs have been widely used as flame retardants in household furniture and electronics equipment. The compounds can migrate out of the products and enter the environment.
 
Even though some of these chemicals have been phased out, they're still found in homes and in household dust.

Pets spend the majority of their day indoors breathing in these pollutants. Using an air cleaner with a good HEPA and carbon filter can provide cleaner, healthier indoor air for pets as well as the people who love them.