New issue: Fire Safety Chemicals, Health Concerns Explained
August 31, 2010 at 3:41 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment
BFRs were designed to make furniture and other household goods safer by making it more difficult for them to burn. But are they the safest way of doing so?
Brominated flame retardants are a controversial class of chemical. Several types of BFR have already been banned in Europe; this year the European Parliament has been considering whether or not BFRs should be banned entirely from electronics goods.
Manufacturers argue they are essential for saving lives; environment groups and manufacturers of non-halogenated fire retardants say they pose unnecessary environmental hazards and should be phased out in favour of greener alternatives.
We examine the concerns and ask: are BFRs safe? If not, what are the alternatives?
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H&E – as seen in
The Journal of the San Francisco Medical Society, April 2010
Latest News and Science- Flame retardants investigation: Chemical industry distorts scienceThe chemical industry has manipulated scientific findings to promote the widespread use of flame retardants and downplay the health risks, a Chicago Tribune investigation shows, twisting research results, ignoring findings that run counter to its aims and passing off biased, industry-funded reports as rigorous science.
- Toxic roulettePart 3 of the CT's expose on flame retardants. Firemaster 550, touted as safe, is the latest in a long line of flame retardants allowed onto the market without thorough study of health risks
- Flame retardants: The role of Big TobaccoBig Tobacco campaigned to "neutralize" firefighting organizations and persuade them to promote the use of flame retardant furniture instead of fire-safe cigarettes as the best way to prevent cigarette-caused fire deaths.
- European Commission publishes REACH scope reviewThe European Commission has published the REACH Review study on the scope of REACH and other relevant EU legislation, identifying and making recommendations on 38 areas of overlap.
- Flame retardants in furniture don't work as advertised, research showsResearch is finding there are more effective ways to prevent furniture fires than treating cushion foam with chemical flame retardants — such as using specially-designed upholstery that resists smoldering cigarettes or adding fire-resistant barriers underneath the fabric.
- Flame retardants investigation: Chemical industry distorts science
Health & Environment
Health & Environment is a website and monthly free publication about how environmental contaminants affect human health.H&E is published by the Cancer Prevention and Education Society.
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