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Do you have any questions for the facilitators? Comment with your questions! 

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Do you have any questions for the facilitators? Comment with your questions! 

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1. Pollutant X is a result of...

2. Pollutant X is harmful because...

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2) With regards to the public health impact - PBDEs are likely to be thyroid homeostasis disruption, neurodevelopmental deficits, reproductive changes, and even cancer

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2) With regards to the public health impact - PBDEs are likely to be thyroid homeostasis disruption, neurodevelopmental deficits, reproductive changes, and even cancer

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1. Pollutant is a result of flame-retardant applications for textiles, plastics, wire insulation and for automobiles.

2. Pollutant is harmful because they are toxic and harmful to both humans and the environment, they are not chemically bonded to the plastics foam or fabrics in which they are used

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1. PBDEs are used as flame retardants in a number of applications, including textiles, plastics, wire insulation, and automobiles. PBDEs are not chemically bound to plastics, foam, fabrics, or other products in which they are used, making them more likely to leach out of these products.

2. PBDE congeners are persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic to both humans and the environment. The critical endpoint of concern for human health is neurobehavioral effects. Various PBDEs have also been studied for ecotoxicity in mammals, birds, fish, and invertebrates.

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1) What is the source of your air pollutant? PBDEs are used as flame retardants in a number of applications, including textiles, plastics, wire insulation, and automobiles. 2.Various PBDEs have also been studied for ecotoxicity in mammals, birds, fish, and invertebrates. In some cases, current levels of exposure for wildlife may be at or near adverse effect levels.

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1) What is the source of your air pollutant? PBDEs are used as flame retardants in a number of applications, including textiles, plastics, wire insulation, and automobiles. 2.Various PBDEs have also been studied for ecotoxicity in mammals, birds, fish, and invertebrates. In some cases, current levels of exposure for wildlife may be at or near adverse effect levels.

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PBDEs are used as flame retardants in a number of applications, including textiles, plastics, wire insulation, and automobiles.

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PBDEs are used as flame retardants in a number of applications, including textiles, plastics, wire insulation, and automobiles.

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A class of substances that are man-made. Used as a fire retardant.

https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/chemical-substances/fact-sheets/chemicals-glance/polybrominated-diphenyl-ethers-public-summary.html

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Update July 28, 2020

The section in this information sheet entitled " Preventive actions and reducing risk" communicates updates in risk management activities, namely:

On this page

Overview

The Government of Canada conducted science-based evaluations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), including decaBDE, to address the potential for harm to Canadians and to the environment. The assessments were completed in 2006, 2010, and 2012.

Under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999), the risk posed by a substance is determined by considering both its hazardous properties (its potential to cause adverse human health or ecological effects) and the amount of exposure there is to people and the environment. A substance may have hazardous properties; however, the risk to human health or to the environment may be low depending upon the level of exposure.

The 7 PBDE groups assessed were not found to be harmful to human health; however, PBDEs were concluded to be harmful to the environment at levels of exposure at the time of the assessment.

About these substances

The screening assessment focused on the groups tetraBDE, pentaBDE, hexaBDE, heptaBDE, octaBDE, nonaBDE and decaBDE, also referred to as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs).

PBDEs are a class of substances that contain the same base structure but differ in the number of attached bromine atoms.

PBDEs do not occur naturally, but are man-made. They are generally produced as commercial mixtures which may contain varying combinations of PBDEs.

PBDEs are used as flame retardants to slow the ignition and spread of fire.

According to information gathered, PBDEs were found in many items, including products used by consumers (such as carpet underlay, furniture foam, appliances, and electrical and electronic equipment) as well as building and automobile materials. Smaller markets included textiles, adhesives and sealants, rubber products and coatings.

The use of PentaBDE and OctaBDE commercial mixtures has been phased-out globally since 2006.

The 3 main manufacturers of the decaBDE commercial mixture operating in the United States voluntarily ceased exports of the decaBDE commercial mixture to Canada in mid-2012. Currently, there are no known Canadian users or importers of the decaBDE commercial mixture.

Human and ecological exposures

The assessment indicated that Canadians may be exposed to PBDEs from environmental sources (for example, air, water, household dust), food (including human breast milk), and products available to consumers that have been treated with mixtures of PBDEs (for example, televisions or computer casings).

This assessment took into consideration the results of human biomonitoring studies, which is the measurement of substances in blood, urine or breast milk. The presence of a substance in the body does not necessarily mean that it is causing harm. Harmful effects depend on the levels and the properties of the substances. The information on measured levels in humans is important to estimating exposure to Canadians.

PBDEs can be released to the environment throughout their lifecycle. This includes from the handling and manufacturing of the chemicals to use of the products which contain them.

At the time of the assessment, PBDEs were detected in all environmental media, as well as sewage biosolids.

The assessment also indicated that wildlife may be exposed from the consumption of prey containing elevated concentrations of PBDEs found in commercial mixtures.

High concentrations of PBDEs from commercial mixtures may also present a risk to organisms that live in the sediment.

Key health and ecological effects (hazard)

At the time of the assessment, the critical or important effects considered in the human health assessment were neurodevelopmental effects (such as changes in movement and behaviour).

The ecological assessment indicated that wildlife may be at risk of secondary poisoning (which results from 1 organism coming into contact or ingesting another organism).

Risk assessment outcomes

Based upon a comparison of levels to which Canadians may be exposed to PBDEs at the time of the assessment, and the levels associated with health effects, the risk to human health for this substance was considered to be low.

Considering all information presented at the time of the assessment, it was determined that there is a risk to the environment from PBDEs.

The Government of Canada published the Human Health State of Science Report for Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) on July 1, 2006.

The Government of Canada also published the Ecological Screening Assessment on Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) on July 1, 2006.

Following those publications, new environmental data for decaBDE became available and was examined in the final Ecological State of the Science Report on Decabromodiphenyl Ether (decaBDE) published in 2010, which supported the outcome of the 2006 assessment. The assessment also found that decaBDE likely contributes to the formation of bioaccumulative and/or potentially bioaccumulative transformation products such as lower brominated BDEs (like tetra-, penta- and hexaBDEs) in organisms and in the environment.

In 2012, a final Human Health State of the Science Report on Decabromodiphenyl Ether (decaBDE) was published and considered new information to assess potential harm of decaBDE to Canadians, and supported the outcome of the 2006 assessment.

All forms of PBDEs assessed in the report were concluded to meet the persistence criteria. Whereas only tetra-, penta-, and hexaBDEs were concluded to meet the bioaccumulation criteria as set out in the Persistence and Bioaccumulation Regulations of CEPA 1999.

Screening assessment conclusions

As a result of the state of science report, it was found that PBDEs are not harmful to human health at levels of exposure current at the time of the assessment.

However, the Government concluded that PBDEs are entering the environment at concentrations that are harmful to the environment at the time of the assessment.

Preventive actions and reducing risk

Performance measurement

Related information

PBDEs may be found in products available to consumers. Canadians should follow any safety warnings and directions on product labels and dispose of products responsibly.

Visit Healthy Home for more information on chemical safety in and around the home.

The assessments of PBDEs focused on potential risks from exposure of the general population of Canada and the environment, rather than occupational exposure. Hazards related to chemicals used in the workplace are defined within the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System. For information concerning workplace health and safety and what steps to take in the workplace, Canadians should consult their employer and/or the Occupational Health and Safety Regulator in their jurisdiction.

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Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) - information sheet

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The section in this information sheet entitled " Preventive actions and reducing risk" communicates updates in risk management activities, namely: The Government of Canada conducted science-based evaluations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), including decaBDE, to address the potential for harm to Canadians and to the environment.

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Pollutant: Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) 

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Pollutant: Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) 

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1. What is the source? PBDEs are used as flame retardants in a number of applications, including textiles, plastics, wire insulation, and automobiles

2. How does the pollutant impact public health? human health is neurobehavioral effects. Various PBDEs have also been studied for ecotoxicity in mammals, birds, fish, and invertebrates. In some cases, current levels of exposure for wildlife may be at or near adverse effect levels.

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Flame retardants used in textiles, plastics, wire insulation, and automobiles are the source of PBDE.
They impact human health by creating neurobehavioural effects also creates ecotoxicity in mammals

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1. PBDEs are commonly found in flame retardant items.
2. This pollutant impacts public health by causing issues such as neurotoxicity and birth issues.

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1. The source of PBDEs is automobiles, textiles, plastics, and wire insulation.
2. They are toxic to humans and the environment

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1. breathing in contaminated dust in indoor environments or in industries that make these chemicals (found furniture foam padding; wire insulation; rugs, draperies, and upholstery; and plastic cabinets for televisions, personal computers, and small appliances)
2. eating contaminated foods, especially high fat food (e.g. fish)

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PBDEs - Sources and Impact on public health

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PBDEs - Sources and Impact on public health

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https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2014-03/documents/ffrrofactsheet_contaminant_perchlorate_january2014_final_0.pdf

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1. PBDEs are used as flame retardant chemicals in furniture and other items. However, since it doesn't actually chemically bind to materials used in furniture, (e.g. plastic, foam, etc.) it is released into the air and causes toxicity.
2. PBDEs can cause health issues in both humans and animals, including "cancer, thyroid disease, decreased fertility, and lower IQ."

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1. PBDEs are found in a variety of consumer products, from TVs and toasters to mattresses and drapes. These chemicals are intended to slow the rate of ignition and fire growth, allowing people more time to escape from a fire or extinguish it.
2. It was found that PBDEs are not harmful to human health at levels of exposure current at the time of the assessment.
3. Results indicate that PBDE congeners have a high affinity for partitioning into sediments then soils. As congener number decreases, the PBDEs then partition more readily into air. As the degree of bromination increases, congeners more readily partition to sediments.

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1. PBDEs are used as flame retardants in a number of applications, including textiles, plastics, wire insulation, and automobiles.

2. The EPA is concerned that certain PBDE congeners are persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic to both humans and the environment. The critical endpoint of concern for human health is neurobehavioral effects.

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1. Contaminated foods, especially those with a high fat content, such as fatty fish.
2. Consumer goods such as electrical equipment, construction materials, coatings, textiles and polyurethane foam (furniture padding)
3. PBDEs can be released to the environment throughout their lifecycle. This includes from the handling and manufacturing of the chemicals to use of the products which contain them.PBDEs can be released to the environment throughout their lifecycle. This includes from the handling and manufacturing of the chemicals to use of the products which contain them.

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Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers are used as flame retardants in a number of applications, including textiles, plastics, wire insulation, and automobiles.

Exposure to flame retardants has been linked with a host of health problems including cancer, thyroid disease, decreased fertility, and lower IQ

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1.  Polluant 6 PBDEs are used as flame retardants in a number of applications, including textiles, plastics, wire insulation, and automobiles.
2.  Toxic to both humans and environment.  The critical endpoint of concern for human health is neurobehavioral effects. Various PBDEs have also been studied for ecotoxicity in mammals, birds, fish, and invertebrates. In some cases, current levels of exposure for wildlife may be at or near adverse effect levels.

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Key health and ecological effects (hazard)

At the time of the assessment, the critical or important effects considered in the human health assessment were neurodevelopmental effects (such as changes in movement and behaviour).

The ecological assessment indicated that wildlife may be at risk of secondary poisoning (which results from 1 organism coming into contact or ingesting another organism).

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Open fires, plastics, coal, wood burning, and it is harmful because it can be harmful to homeostasis and thyroid

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Open fires, plastics, coal, wood burning, and it is harmful because it can be harmful to homeostasis and thyroid

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1)PBDEs are used as flame retardants in a number of applications, including textiles, plastics, wire insulation, and automobiles.

2) PBDE congeners are persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic to both humans and the environment.

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Studies in animals have found that the chemicals can have effects on the thyroid and liver, as well as on brain development.

More studies needed on impacts on humans especially in lower doses

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PBDEs come from flame retardants that are used in textiles, plastics, wires and automobiles.

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PBDEs come from flame retardants that are used in textiles, plastics, wires and automobiles.

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They are harmful because they cause neurobehavioral defects, thyroid, pancreatic defects.

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1. Flame retardants
2. Neurobiological issues

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1) The main source of PBDEs are flame retardants
2) The pollutant is concerning to public health because certain PBDE congeners are persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic to both humans and the environment. The critical endpoint of concern for human health is neurobehavioral effects.

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1. PBDEs are commercially produced substances that are used as flame retardants in a wide variety of consumer products such as textiles, plastic, insulation, etc.

2. Certain PBDE congeners are persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic to both humans and the environment. The critical endpoint of concern for human health is neurobehavioral effects. Various PBDEs have also been studied for ecotoxicity in mammals, birds, fish, and invertebrates. In some cases, current levels of exposure for wildlife may be at or near adverse effect levels.

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Human and ecological exposures

The assessment indicated that Canadians may be exposed to PBDEs from environmental sources (for example, air, water, household dust), food (including human breast milk), and products available to consumers that have been treated with mixtures of PBDEs (for example, televisions or computer casings).

This assessment took into consideration the results of human biomonitoring studies, which is the measurement of substances in blood, urine or breast milk. The presence of a substance in the body does not necessarily mean that it is causing harm. Harmful effects depend on the levels and the properties of the substances. The information on measured levels in humans is important to estimating exposure to Canadians.

PBDEs can be released to the environment throughout their lifecycle. This includes from the handling and manufacturing of the chemicals to use of the products which contain them.

At the time of the assessment, PBDEs were detected in all environmental media, as well as sewage biosolids.

The assessment also indicated that wildlife may be exposed from the consumption of prey containing elevated concentrations of PBDEs found in commercial mixtures.

High concentrations of PBDEs from commercial mixtures may also present a risk to organisms that live in the sediment.

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Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are an important class of flame retardants, widely used in a variety of consumer products. In the past two decades, PBDEs have become widespread environmental pollutants, and have been detected in water, soil, air, dust, and animal and human tissues. Primary routes of exposure are diet (fish, meat, dairy products) and the indoor environment (dust). Of the 209 possible PBDE congeners, a number of tetra-, penta-, and hexaBDEs, and decaBDE, are commonly found in humans. Though most PBDEs have been banned or are being phased out, they are still persistent in the environment. Concern on possible adverse health effects focuses on their potential endocrine disrupting action and on their potential developmental neurotoxicity.

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PBDEs are widely used in a variety of consumer products. In the past two decades, PBDEs have become widespread environmental pollutants, and have been detected in water, soil, air, dust, and animal and human tissues. Primary routes of exposure are diet (fish, meat, dairy products) and the indoor environment (dust). Infants and toddlers have the highest body burden, due to exposure to maternal milk and to house dust.

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1) PBDE's are used as flame retardants in textiles, plastics, automobiles, wire insulation, and other products.
2) This is dangerous for public health because of its potential neurobehavioral effects, as well as its potentially harmful effects on wildlife.

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Negative effects of adding flame retardant to furniture

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Negative effects of adding flame retardant to furniture

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When it comes to furniture fires, adding flame retardant chemicals to furniture does not protect consumers from the most deadly types of fires, according to a comprehensive analysis of fire data by Silent Spring Institute. Exposure to flame retardants has been linked with a host of health problems including cancer, thyroid disease, decreased fertility, and lower IQ.

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PBDE:  additives to retard fire and flames in a variety of commercial and household products

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PBDE:  additives to retard fire and flames in a variety of commercial and household products

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2. Possible source of cancer

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1. the pollutant is a result of having flame retardant compounds put onto our furniture
2. these impact public health through being toxic to both humans and the environment. the critical concern is that it has neurobehavioral effects.

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1) Flame retardant coatings on furniture and used for other textile manufacturing flame retardant coatings

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1) Flame retardant coatings on furniture and used for other textile manufacturing flame retardant coatings

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2) They have not been proven to save lives by creating a less flammable product and may lead to behavioral changes for the consumer and environment.

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1. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are found as flame-retardant in a number of applications for textiles, plastics, wire insulation and for automobiles.

2. PBDEs are harmful because they are toxic and harmful to both humans and the environment. Exposure to flame retardants has been linked with a host of health problems including cancer, thyroid disease, decreased fertility, and lower IQ.

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1.) PBDEs are used as a flame retardant in a number of applications including Textiles, Automobiles, Plastics, and Wire Insulation.

2.) PBDEs have been linked to multiple health problems including Cancer, Thyroid Disease, Decreased Fertility, and Lower IQ

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1. Pollutants are from flame retardants in regard to furniture fires.

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1. Pollutants are from flame retardants in regard to furniture fires.

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2. These pollutants do not stick on the furniture but rather are in the air. They are linked to health problems such as cancer, thyroid disease, decreased fertility, and lower IQ.

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Exposure to flame retardants has been linked with a host of health problems including cancer, thyroid disease, decreased fertility, and lower IQ. Rather than staying put in products, the chemicals migrate out into air and dust, and ultimately into people’s bodies. ”Because regulations that lead to the use of these chemicals in furniture have health implications, we wanted to know if the existing fire data supports the need for these regulations,” says lead author Kathryn Rodgers, a staff scientist at Silent Spring.

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Exposure to flame retardants has been linked with a host of health problems including cancer, thyroid disease, decreased fertility, and lower IQ. Rather than staying put in products, the chemicals migrate out into air and dust, and ultimately into people’s bodies. ”Because regulations that lead to the use of these chemicals in furniture have health implications, we wanted to know if the existing fire data supports the need for these regulations,” says lead author Kathryn Rodgers, a staff scientist at Silent Spring.

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Exposure to flame retardants has been linked with a host of health problems including cancer, thyroid disease, decreased fertility, and lower IQ. Rather than staying put in products, the chemicals migrate out into air and dust, and ultimately into people’s bodies. ”Because regulations that lead to the use of these chemicals in furniture have health implications, we wanted to know if the existing fire data supports the need for these regulations,” says lead author Kathryn Rodgers, a staff scientist at Silent Spring.

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What is the source of your air pollutant?

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What is the source of your air pollutant?

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Chemical flame retardants used in the manufacturing of furniture and other products

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1) PBDEs are used as flame retardants in a number of everyday products such as applications, plastics, wire insulation, and automobiles.

2)PBDEs are harmful to both the environment and human life - such as poisoning and neurobiological issues

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Pollutant 6 - Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs)

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Pollutant 6 - Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs)

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1. This pollutant is a result of commercially produced substances, especially within flame retardants. They come from building materials, electronics, motor vehicles, textiles, and plastics.

2. This pollutant impacts public health in many ways. Low environmental exposures of PBDEs are unknown, but research shows that it has effects on the thyroid , liver, and brain development. They are toxic to both humans and the environment, and mostly affect neurobehavioral effects.

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Happy Birthday to all celebrating birthday in Nov and Dec

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Several epidemiologic studies have demonstrated a significant increase in the incidence of prostate, breast, endometrial, and testicular cancer in humans during the past 50 years. A large body of evidence demonstrates that human exposure to highly prevalent environmental chemicals with hormonal function may be closely associated with an increase in cancer risk. To deal with several possible mechanisms of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), many experimental and epidemiological studies have been performed. EDCs are present in numerous places in environment, such as in food and water (through the use of pesticides) as well as in cosmetics, plastics, and other products used daily at home. Experimental models have been proposed to establish a link between exposure to EDCs and cancer development and to understand possible mechanisms of EDCs. Based on scientific papers published, EDCs were shown to produce a wide variety of endocrine-disruption effects, including developmental disorders, carcinogenicity, and mutagenicity in animal experiments. Moreover, the adverse effects of EDCs may include alterations in immunity, fertility, and neurobehavior.

Antiandrogens

Breast cancer

Carcinogenicity

Cryptorchidism

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals

Endometrial cancer

Estrogens

Free radical

Hypospadias

Prostate cancer

Testicular cancer

Thyroid receptor

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1. PBDEs were historically used as flame retardants in furniture, but recent studies have called into question their efficacy at preventing fires.
2. PBDEs persist in the physical environment, may be toxic to both humans and other animals, and have bioaccumulative properties.

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Pollutant Source- Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a class of synthetic halogenated organic compounds used in numerous polymer-based commercial and household products, such as textiles, furniture, and electronics, to increase their flame ignition resistance and to meet increasingly strict fire safety standards .

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Pollutant Source- Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a class of synthetic halogenated organic compounds used in numerous polymer-based commercial and household products, such as textiles, furniture, and electronics, to increase their flame ignition resistance and to meet increasingly strict fire safety standards .

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Health Concern-Exposure to PBDEs are likely to be thyroid homeostasis disruption, neurodevelopmental deficits, reproductive changes, and even cancer.

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Interestingly Canada has been increasing regulations on PBDEs since 2008, and is looking to further restrict PBDE use this year: Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) - Canada.ca

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In April 2017, a notice was issued in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 151, No. 13 - April 1, 2017 under section 71 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999). The notice applied to decabromodiphenyl ether (DecaBDE) ( CAS RN 1163-19-5) and approximately 30 other substances that are toxic or proposed to be toxic as defined under section 64 to CEPA 1999.

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1) What are PBDE?
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers or PBDEs, are a class of organobromine compounds that are used as flame retardants. Like other brominated flame retardants, PBDEs have been used in a wide array of products, including building materials, electronics, furnishings, motor vehicles, airplanes, plastics, polyurethane foams,[1] and textiles.

2) What are the health issues:
The health hazards of these chemicals have attracted increasing scrutiny, and they have been shown to reduce fertility in humans at levels found in households.[2] Because of their toxicity and persistence, the industrial production of some PBDEs is restricted under the Stockholm Convention, a treaty to control and phase out major persistent organic pollutants (POPs).

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Polybrominated diphenyl ethers or PBDEs, are a class of organobromine compounds that are used as flame retardants. Like other brominated flame retardants, PBDEs have been used in a wide array of products, including building materials, electronics, furnishings, motor vehicles, airplanes, plastics, polyurethane foams, and textiles. They are structurally akin to polychlorinated diphenyl ethers (PCDEs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and other polyhalogenated compounds, consisting of two halogenated aromatic rings. PBDEs are classified according to the average number of bromine atoms in the molecule. The health hazards of these chemicals have attracted increasing scrutiny, and they have been shown to reduce fertility in humans at levels found in households. Because of their toxicity and persistence, the industrial production of some PBDEs is restricted under the Stockholm Convention, a treaty to control and phase out major persistent organic pollutants (POPs).

The family of PBDEs consists of 209 possible substances, which are called congeners (PBDE = C ₁₂H(10−x)BrxO ( x = 1, 2, ..., 10 = m + n)). The number of isomers for mono-, di-, tri-, tetra-, penta-, hexa-, hepta-, octa-, nona-, and decabromodiphenyl ethers are 3, 12, 24, 42, 46, 42, 24, 12, 3 and 1, respectively. In the United States, PBDEs are marketed with the trade names DE-60F, DE-61, DE-62, and DE-71 applied to pentaBDE mixtures, DE-79 applied to octaBDE mixtures, and DE 83R and Saytex 102E applied to decaBDE mixtures. The available commercial PBDE products are not single compounds or even single congeners but rather mixtures of congeners.

These species average 1-4 bromine atoms per molecule and are regarded as more dangerous because they more efficiently bioaccumulate. Lower-brominated PBDEs have been known to affect hormone levels in the thyroid gland. Studies have linked them to reproductive and neurological risks at certain concentrations or higher.

These species have average 5 or more bromine atoms per molecule.

The commercial mixture, named pentabromodiphenyl ether contains the pentabromo derivative predominantly (50-62%); however, the mixture also contains tetrabromides (24-38%) and hexabromides (4-8%), as well as traces of the tribromides (0-1%). In similar manner, commercial octabromodiphenyl ether is a mixture of homologs: hexa-, hepta-, octa-, nona-, and decabromides.

Health and environmental concerns

Since the 1990s, environmental concerns were raised because of the high hydrophobicity of PBDEs and their high resistance to degradation processes. While biodegradation is not considered the main pathway for PBDEs, the photolysis and pyrolysis can be of interest in studies of transformation of PBDEs. People are exposed to low levels of PBDEs through ingestion of food and by inhalation. PBDEs bioaccumulate in blood, breast milk, and fat tissues. Personnel associated with the manufacture of PBDE-containing products are exposed to highest levels of PBDEs. Bioaccumulation is of particular concern in such instances, especially for personnel in recycling and repair plants working on PBDE-containing products. People are also exposed to these chemicals in their domestic environment because of their prevalence in common household items. Studies in Canada have found significant concentrations of PBDEs in common foods such as salmon, ground beef, butter, and cheese. PBDEs have also been found at high levels in indoor dust, sewage sludge, and effluents from wastewater treatment plants. Increasing PBDE levels have been detected in the blood of marine mammals such as harbor seals.

There is also growing concern that PBDEs share the environmental long life and bioaccumulation properties of polychlorinated dibenzodioxins.

It is not known if PBDEs can cause cancer in people, although liver tumors developed in rats and mice that ate extremely large amounts of decaBDE throughout their lifetime. Lower-brominated PBDEs have not yet been tested for cancer in animals. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified PBDE as a Group 3 carcinogen (not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans) based on inadequate evidence of carcinogenicity in humans and inadequate or limited evidence in experimental animals. The EPA assigns the cancer category Group D (not classifiable as to human carcinogenicity) to mono-, di-, tri-, tetra-, penta-, hexa-, octa-, and nonaBDEs and reports "inadequate information" to classify the specific congeners 2,2',4,4'-tetraBDE, 2,2',4,4',5-pentaBDE, and 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexaBDE. However, EPA assigns a classification of "suggestive evidence of carcinogenic potential" for decaBDE. The Department of Health and Human Services has not classified PBDEs as carcinogens. The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) has no data regarding cancer classifications for PBDEs.

PBDEs have been shown to have hormone-disrupting effects, in particular, on estrogen and thyroid hormones. A 2009 animal study conducted by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) demonstrates that deiodination, active transport, sulfation, and glucuronidation may be involved in disruption of thyroid homeostasis after perinatal exposure to PBDEs during critical developmental time points in utero and shortly after birth. The adverse effects on hepatic mechanism of thyroid hormone disruption during development have been shown to persist into adulthood.[citation needed ] The EPA noted that PBDEs are particularly toxic to the developing brains of animals. Peer-reviewed studies have shown that even a single dose administered to mice during development of the brain can cause permanent changes in behavior, including hyperactivity.

Swedish scientists first reported substances related to pentaBDE were accumulating in human breast milk. Studies by the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation found for the first time very high levels of more highly brominated PBDEs (BDE-209) in eggs of peregrine falcons. Two forms of PBDEs, penta- and octaBDE, are no longer manufactured in the United States because of health and safety concerns. Based on a comprehensive risk assessment under the Existing Substances Regulation 793/93/EEC, the European Union has completely banned the use of penta- and octaBDE since 2004. However, both chemicals are still found in furniture and foam items made before the phase-out was completed. The most common PBDEs used in electronics are decaBDE. DecaBDE is banned in Europe for this use and in some U.S. states. For PBDE, EPA has set reference dose of 7 micrograms per kilogram of body weight, which is "believed to be without appreciable effects". However, Linda Birnbaum, PhD, a senior toxicologist formerly with the EPA (now at NIEHS) notes concern: "What I see is another piece of evidence that supports the fact that levels of these chemicals in children appear to be higher than the levels in their parents; I think this study raises a red flag." A previous study by the Environmental Working Group in 2003 published test results showing that the average level of fire-retardants in breast milk from 20 American mothers was 75 times higher than the average levels measured in Europe.

Increasing levels of PBDEs in the environment may be responsible for the increasing incidence of feline hyperthyroidism. A study in 2007 found PBDE levels in cats 20- to 100-fold greater than median levels in U.S. adults, although it was not adequately powered to establish an association between hyperthyroid cats and serum PBDE levels. Subsequent studies have indeed found such an association.

An experiment conducted at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in 2005 showed that the isotopic signature of methoxy-PBDEs found in whale blubber contained carbon-14, the naturally occurring radioactive isotope of carbon. Methoxy-PBDEs are produced by some marine species. If the methoxy-PBDEs in the whale had come from artificial (human-made) sources, they would have contained only stable isotopes of carbon because virtually all PBDEs that are produced artificially use petroleum as the source of carbon; all carbon-14 would have long since completely decayed from that source. The isotopic signatures of the PBDEs themselves were not evaluated. The carbon-14 may instead be in methoxy groups enzymatically added to man-made PBDEs.

A 2010 study found that children with higher concentrations of PBDE congeners 47, 99 and 100 in their umbilical cord blood at birth scored lower on tests of mental and physical development between the ages of one and six. Developmental effects were particularly evident at four years of age, when verbal and full IQ scores were reduced 5.5 to 8.0 points for those with the highest prenatal exposures after correcting for sex, ethnicity, tobacco smoke exposure, and mother's IQ.

Increasing environmental concentrations and changing distributions of PBDEs in sediments of the Clyde River Estuary in Scotland, UK have been assessed. Analysis of six sediment cores each of 1 m depth from Glasgow city to Greenock revealed that total concentrations increased toward the river bed surface (0-10 cm). Amounts of PBDE ranged from 1 to 2,645 µg/kg (dry wt. sediment) with a mean of 287 µg/kg (dry wt. sediment). Down-core PBDE congener profiles showed that higher concentrations were due to elevated levels of BDE-209. The majority of the sediment records clearly showed a change from mainly lower molecular weight BDEs 47,99, 183, 153 at lower depths to BDE-209 near the surface, a change in congener and homologue group patterns that corresponds to the restrictions of penta- and octaBDE commercial mixtures under EU law in 2004-2006.

In August, 2003, the State of California outlawed the sale of penta- and octaBDE and products containing them, effective January 1, 2008. PBDEs are ubiquitous in the environment, and, according to the EPA, exposure may pose health risks. According to U.S. EPA's Integrated Risk Information System, evidence indicates that PBDEs may possess liver toxicity, thyroid toxicity, and neurodevelopmental toxicity. In June 2008, the U.S. EPA set a safe daily exposure level ranging from 0.1 to 7 ug per kg body weight per day for the four most common PBDE congeners. In April 2007, the legislature of the state of Washington passed a bill banning the use of PBDEs. The State of Maine Department of Environmental Protection found that all PBDEs should be banned. In May 2007, the legislature of the state of Maine passed a bill phasing out the use of decaPBDE.

The European Union decided to ban the use of two classes of flame retardants, in particular, PBDEs and polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) in electric and electronic devices. This ban was formalised in the RoHS Directive, and an upper limit of 1 g/kg for the sum of PBBs and PBDEs was set. In February 2009, the Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements released two certified reference materials to help analytical laboratories better detect these two classes of flame retardants. The reference materials were custom-made to contain all relevant PBDEs and PBBs at levels close to the legal limit.

At an international level, in May 2009 the Parties of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) decided to list commercial pentaBDE and commercial octaBDE as POP substances. This listing is due to the properties of hexaBDE and heptaBDE, which are components of commercial octaBDE, and to the properties of tetraBDE and pentaBDE, which are the main components of commercial pentaBDE. In 2017, it was decided to also list decaBDE.

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Polybrominated diphenyl ethers - Wikipedia

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Polybrominated diphenyl ethers or PBDEs, are a class of organobromine compounds that are used as flame retardants. Like other brominated flame retardants, PBDEs have been used in a wide array of products, including building materials, electronics, furnishings, motor vehicles, airplanes, plastics, polyurethane foams, and textiles.

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1) PBDEs are added to household materials in an attempt to make them less flammable.

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1) PBDEs are added to household materials in an attempt to make them less flammable.

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2) PBDEs are less flame retardant than originally thought, and it turns out they are harmful to humans and animals when exposed tothem.

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1.       The Pollutant Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a result from flame retardants in a number of applications, including textiles, plastics, wire insulation, and automobiles.

2.       The pollutant impacts public health by not chemically bonding to plastics, foam, fabrics, or other products in which they are used. This combined with increasing levels are producing adverse effects in wildlife and even humans

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1. What is PBDE ?
- Polybrominated eiphenyl ehters
- Organobromide Compounds that are used as flame retardants

2. Usage
- building materials, electronics, furnishings, motor vehicles, airplanes, plastics, polyurethane foams, textiles

3 Types
- Lower brominated PFDEs
- Higher brominated PFDEs

4 Environmental Concerns
- high resistance to biodegradation process

5 Health Concerns
- bioaccumulate in blood, breast milk and fat tissues

6 Exposure
- recycling and repair plants
- domestic environment due to its prevalence in household poroducts

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Source: The manufacture and breakdown of fire-retardant consumer goods

Effects: Currently unclear, some types may have the potential to cause toxic build-up and may be a carcinogen (EPA and CDC)

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 How does the pollutant impact public health?

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 How does the pollutant impact public health?

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Exposure to flame retardants has been linked with a host of health problems including cancer, thyroid disease, decreased fertility, and lower IQ

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They are widely used in flame suppressant materials and are applied to a broad array of textiles and consumer products.
Human exposure may occur those ingestion of foods that contain PBDEs and

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1. They are used as flame retardants in a number of applications, including textiles, plastics, wire insulation, and automobiles.

2.  Certain PBDE congeners are persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic to both humans and the environment.

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Flame Retardant

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1. PBDE's include flame retardant chemicals often times applied to furniture

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1. PBDE's include flame retardant chemicals often times applied to furniture

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2. They are toxic to humans and environment

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1. There are no known natural sources of PBDEs, except for a few marine organisms that produce forms of PBDEs that contain higher levels of oxygen.
2. In animal studies, these chemicals have shown some effects on the thyroid and liver, as well as on brain development. More research is needed to assess the human health effects of exposure to PBDEs.

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1. Source: Generally added to certain manufactured products to reduce the chance of fire. As they are not chemically bound, they can leak from these products.
2. Public Health Impact: Can cause cancer, thyroid disease, decreased fertility, among others.

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Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) and Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBBs) Factsheet

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Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) and Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBBs) Factsheet

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Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) belong to a class of chemicals that are added to certain manufactured products in order to reduce the chances that the products will catch on fire. Finished products that may contain PBDEs are furniture foam padding; wire insulation; rugs, draperies, and upholstery; and plastic cabinets for televisions, personal computers, and small appliances. PBBs were used in the past, and one in particular, BB-153, has not been produced in the U.S. since the 1970’s.

These chemicals can get into the air, water, and soil during their manufacture; they can leak from products that contain them or escape when the products that contain them break down. They do not dissolve easily in water; they stick to particles and settle to the bottom of rivers or lakes. Some PBDEs can build up in certain fish and mammals when they eat contaminated food or water.

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1. imported articles to which these compounds have been added
2.another potential source is the possible breakdown of decaBDA in the environment to mor toxic and bioaccumulative PBDE congeners

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PBDEs Source and Impact on Public Health

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PBDEs Source and Impact on Public Health

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PBDEs are used as flame retardants in a number of applications, including textiles, plastics, wire insulation, and automobiles.

Certain PBDE congeners are persistent, bio accumulative, and toxic to both humans and the environment. The critical endpoint of concern for human health is neurobehavioral effects. Various PBDEs have also been studied for ecotoxicity in mammals, birds, fish, and invertebrates. In some cases, current levels of exposure for wildlife may be at or near adverse effect levels.

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Americans spend up to 90 percent of their time indoors, and indoor allergens and irritants play a significant role in triggering asthma attacks. Triggers are things that can cause asthma symptoms, an episode or attack or make asthma worse. If you have asthma, you may react to just one trigger or you may find that several things act as triggers. Be sure to work with a doctor to identify triggers and develop a treatment plan that includes ways to reduce exposures to your asthma triggers.

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Americans spend up to 90 percent of their time indoors, and indoor allergens and irritants play a significant role in triggering asthma attacks. Triggers are things that can cause asthma symptoms, an episode or attack or make asthma worse. If you have asthma, you may react to just one trigger or you may find that several things act as triggers. Be sure to work with a doctor to identify triggers and develop a treatment plan that includes ways to reduce exposures to your asthma triggers.

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What is its source?
Flame retardants (a mixture of several PBDE congeners) in a number of applications, including textiles, plastics, wire insulation, and automobiles

How does the pollutant impact public health?

Neurobehavioral toxicity for humans and ecotoxicity for animals such as birds, fish, invertebrates, etc.

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(1) What is the source of your air pollutant?
PBDEs typically come from furniture foam padding; wire insulation; rugs, draperies, and upholstery; and plastic cabinets for televisions, personal computers, and small appliances. PBDEs are not chemically bound to plastics, foam, fabrics, or other products in which they are used, making them more likely to leach out of these products. People can be exposed to PBDEs and PBBs by eating contaminated foods, especially those with a high fat content, such as fatty fish. Another source of exposure results from breathing contaminated air or swallowing contaminated dust. Working in industries that make these chemicals or that make, repair, or recycle products containing these chemicals flame retardants can result in exposure.

(2) How does the pollutant impact public health?
There is an impact in the form of neurobehavioral effects in mammals. In animal studies, these chemicals have shown some effects on the thyroid and liver, as well as on brain development. More research is needed to assess the human health effects of exposure to PBDEs and PBBs.

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1. The source of PBDEs are flame retardants in textiles, plastics, wire insulation, automobiles, dust, and even clothing.
2. The pollutant has neurotoxic effects to humans, affects the endocrine system, and has carcinogenic properties.

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1. PBDEs are used as flame retardants (any compound or mixture added to a consumer product or building material to reduce the flammability and thus improve product safety). Their use is included in textiles, plastics, wire insulation, and automobiles.

2. PBDEs are harmful because they are persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic to both humans (neurobehavioral effects) and the environment (have been studied for ecotoxicity in mammals, birds, fish, and invertebrates, with at or near adverse effect levels). Exposure to flame retardants has been linked with a host of health problems including cancer, thyroid disease, decreased fertility, and lower IQ. Rather than staying put in products, the chemicals migrate out into air and dust, and ultimately into people’s bodies.

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-toxic to both humans and the environment
-neurbeahvioral effects
-current levels of exposure for wildlife may be at or near adverse effect levels; Some reports indicate that levels are increasing
-the component congeners are being detected in humans and the environment

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Natural source of fire retarding chemical identified

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Presence of polybrominated diphenyl ethers, used in insulation among other things, in the environment was till now attributed to human activity