PBDE levels (Parts per billion in breast milk) Source: Northwest Environment Watch

On July 13, Gov. Ted Kulongoski signed an OSPIRG-backed bill that will phase out a class of toxic chemicals appearing in frighteningly high amounts in the breast milk of Oregon women.

Oregon now joins many other states in taking this action to protect public health from this class of toxic chemicals, known as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs).

PBDEs are a group of toxic flame retardants widely used in many products, including mattresses, furniture, electronics, plastics, automobiles and computers. The chemicals in these flame retardants persist in the environment and build up in animals and people.

A Serious Health Threat

Even at very low levels, PBDEs have impaired memory, learning and behavior in laboratory animals. PBDEs also affect thyroid hormones and other bodily functions. Developing fetuses, infants and young children are most at risk.

Levels of PBDEs are rising rapidly in the environment and in human bodies, particularly in North America, where the use of PBDEs is highest. PBDEs are turning up with increasing frequency in human blood and women’s breast milk, in household dust, in wildlife and in many food items.

According to OSPIRG Environmental Advocate Rhett Lawrence, a recent study of Northwest women found PBDE levels in breast milk that were 20 to 40 times higher than those found in Japanese and Swedish women.

In addition, wildlife studies have shown that PBDE levels are rising at alarming rates, doubling every one to five years. In the Columbia River system, levels of PBDEs in fish doubled in a mere 1.6 years.

Available Alternatives

Numerous alternatives to PBDEs are available that are safe to human health, cost effective and capable of meeting stringent fire standards. Companies such as Intel, Ikea and Ericsson have already found safer alternatives to these toxic flame retardants with no reduction in fire safety.

“Now is the time to stop using these chemicals altogether, since we know that when we stop using them, levels in our bodies go down,” added Lawrence. “When Sweden banned the use of PBDEs, levels in breast milk decreased dramatically.”

OSPIRG worked with coalition partners Oregon Environmental Council and Physicians for Social Responsibility to advocate the phase-out of these chemicals.

A Bipartisan Solution

Introduced with strong bipartisan support, the new law bans two forms of toxic flame retardants and instructs the Oregon Department of Human Services to evaluate a third form. Health concerns from low level exposure to these toxins— particularly for developing infants—include impacts on brain development, critical hormone function, memory, learning and behavior.

“We will continue to work with members of the Department of Human Services to move toward eliminating this threat completely,” concluded Lawrence.