How to Reduce PBDE Exposure in Your Household

PBDEs, or polybrominated diphenyl ethers are a type of flame retardant found in most American households. PBDEs are stored in the bodies of both humans and animals, causing concerns over their environmental impact as well as their affect on brain function and motor skills, especially in exposed babies and children.

What steps can we take to protect ourselves from PBDEs found in household electronics and furnishings?

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I recently discovered the disturbing news of the EPA’s attempted cover-up of PBDE risks, by firing a concerned scientist at the urging of chemical corporation lobbyists. For more information on investigations into the EPA and the risks of PBDEs in babies and toddlers, read my report.

This report would be incomplete, of course, without a handy-dandy guide to what you can do to protect the health of your family. A little bit of green consumer smarts, dietary knowledge and household habits can pave the way to less exposure to both PBDEs and other environmental toxins.

Avoiding PBDE Exposure in Your Children

Because PBDEs degrade into dust, by many products including consumer electronics and foam pads and mattresses, one of the main concerns for PBDE exposure is dust in the household. Generally, natural fibers are safer than polyesters and foams, since PBDEs are actually blended into poly-based products to add flammability.

The following specific steps may be taken to reduce PBDE exposure in your family:

• Remove shoes when entering the house to avoid tracking in unwanted chemicals.
• Dust, dust, and dust! Limiting dust exposure also eliminates exposure to PBDE’s. Use wet cleaning methods over dry dusting or vacuuming when possible to avoid distributing dust into the air.
• Use proper ventilation during cleaning and construction projects.
• Wash hands, yours and your children’s, especially before eating or cooking.
• Avoid flame retardant children’s clothing. For sleepwear, choose snug cotton fabrics.
• Repair or replace exposed foam in furniture.
• Buy used cars and furnishings, which may have already off-gased most of their PBDE content. Vacuum well to eliminate any existing dust.
• When purchasing new furnishings and bedding, choose wool or cotton fill over polyester and foam products.
• Increase fruits and veggies and reduce animal fats. As PBDEs are stored in the body fat of animals and fish, reducing animal fat intake reduces exposure. Especially avoid large fish higher on the food chain.
• Never burn plastic!

Do you heart IKEA? Die-hard Dell fan or Apple aficionado? If so, you may be in good shape. These companies are among those who have taken steps to phase out all PBDEs from their products. For more lists and steps to avoid PBDE Exposure, try the following:

• PBDE-Free Manufacturers List by the Environmental Working Group
• PBDE Fact Sheet by the Oregon Department of Human Services
• The Safer Products “Chemical House” by Clean Production Action
• Five Easy Steps to a Safer Home on CNN.com

Many of the steps you take to reduce potential PBDE exposure will also help your family’s health in general, especially respiratory health, and will also reduce exposure to other potential toxins.

I do try not to stress myself out too too much, but information is golden and an ounce of prevention… well you know the rest.

Love,

Mama Hope

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