Danger to Marine Life, Humans and Environment - PBDEs Are Everywhere

Polybrominated Diphenylethers (also known asextremely high quantities of PBDEs. High levels
PBDEs) have been used for decades as firethroughout its habitat have dropped the average life
retardants. While they may have served a usefulexpectancy for a male orca more than in half,
purpose the chemicals are also hazardous to humansaccording to Ken Balcomb of the Center for Whale
and to the environment - especially the ocean. PBDEsResearch in Washington.
do not break down easily and are foundMeghan McKillop of the Vancouver Aquarium
EVERYWHERE - in 85 per cent of commercialcetacean research group advises people to reduce
plastics, foam and textiles in the US. They are inthe use of pesticides in a garden, go organic and
common household items such as computers,local, and purchase PBDE-free products to help the
carpets, children's clothing, furniture, appliances, andfuture of Killer Whales.
insulation. It is an insidious problem.High levels of PBDEs have been found in farmed fish
There are various classes and types of PBDEs and- presumably contaminated by water and feed (also
laws governing their use vary. The European Unionbecause farmed fish tend to have higher fat
banned two classes of PBDEs in 2004. In Northcontent).
America and Europe, there has been a gradualDanger to humans
phasing out of PBDEs in different products. However,PBDE exposure can be dangerous to humans and
there are still many new products being made withhousehold pets. Exposure could lead to chronic
PBDEs and plenty of older items to cause greatillnesses over time. Unfortunately, many people that
concerns for human health and the environment.suffer from PBDE-exposure-related illnesses are not
PBDEs and the ocean environmenteven aware of why they are sick. Liver disease,
The presence of PBDEs in the environment canthyroid conditions, neurobehavioral problems and
cause harm to plant and animal life. A NOAA reportreproductive disorders have been linked to PBDEs.
released in 2009 found that PBDEs are found in ALLPregnant women, foetuses, infants (PBDEs are
US coastal waters and the Great Lakes.passed through breast milk) and young children are
PBDEs make their way into the environment inparticularly vulnerable.
different ways. They can move into the environmentThere are certain steps that can be taken to reduce
from municipal/public waste or discarded consumerexposure to PBDEs in the home. Keeping the
goods. PBDEs can also dissipate into the air wehousehold clean and free of dust is always a positive
breathe as dust particles. Humans and animals canstep. Rooms in the home should be properly
consume contaminated foods (especially meat andventilated.
animal products with high fat content) and ingestGetting rid of PBDEs
PBDEs.It certainly sounds like a chemical you don't want to
Pollution, food chain, marine animalshave in your home. BUT it is very important to have
Much of the earlier research concentrated on PBDEsa better idea of where the chemicals may be found
and their direct health effects on human beings butin order to facilitate proper disposal. Improperly
now, it is very clear that the marine environment isdisposed of hazards will come back to haunt you
very much affected. They can accumulate in animalseither directly or indirectly.
and make its way through the food chain. As PBDEsThe best means is prevention. It's best to avoid
concentrate in fatty tissue, and marine mammalsPCBEs in the first place and go for the safe
tend to be at the top of their food chains, they tendalternatives. See the fact sheet by the Michigan
to be affected the most.Network for Children's Environmental Health for a list
Killer Whale carcases have been found withof companies not using Deca PBDEs.