Greenpeace slammed by flame retardant manufacturers

Stuart Corner
Tuesday, 04 December 2007 03:46

Science - Energy

The report concluded: "Our toxicology database is inadequate to truly understand the risk. Many of the studies that do exist involve the commercial mixtures, which do not represent human exposure. We need studies that focus on the congeners, and potentially their metabolites and/or breakdown products, present in people and wildlife in order to understand the risk from exposure to BFRs."

Dell's stated position on BFRs is that "In line with the Precautionary Principle and with consideration for Chemicals for Priority Action identified by the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the NE Atlantic (OSPAR), Dell is striving to eliminate the use of all brominated flame retardant chemicals in our products, worldwide. Brominated flame retardants are covered in Dell's banned and restricted materials program.

"We currently avoid the use of BFRs by using plastics that can be flame retarded with non-halogenated compounds and by using design strategies that reduce the need to use flame retarded plastics at all. If alternatives are not yet viable, Dell works with its industry partners to promote new industry standards and the development of reliable, environmentally sound, and economically scalable technical solutions."

Concerns have also been raised in Australia, prompting extensive studies. In 2005 the Australian Federal Department of Environment and Water Resource engaged the National Research Centre for Environmental Toxicology to conduct three studies to examine levels of PBDEs [the class of BFRs which includes Deca-BDE] in Australia. These studies examined levels in aquatic sediments, indoor environments and human blood. "to improve our knowledge about PBDEs so that governments were in a better position to consider appropriate management actions."

The blood study concluded by saying: "A key uncertainty with PBDEs relates to their toxicology and particularly effects related to potentially chronic exposure. Our study clearly demonstrates that children may be the most vulnerable to these chemicals. A detailed assessment of the specific routes of PBDE exposure for the youngest population together with an evaluation of appropriate management options is warranted if one assumes that there is a potential risk."