Programs: Safer Substitutes to Brominated Flame Retardants

Since 2006, EHF has worked with thirteen U.S. state coalitions and numerous market-based campaigns to phase out PBDEs. EHF facilitates an international collaborative of environmental and public health advocates, scientists, researchers, and policy experts to work on eliminating unnecessary toxic brominated flame retardants from production, use and disposal worldwide.

We are working to drive the marketplace toward safer substitutes by weaving together the BFR-elimination work in the U.S. with existing global prohibitions of BFRs under the Stockholm Convention and the European Union “restriction of use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment” — also known as the RoHS directive.

Brominated flame retardants, called PBDEs or polybrominated diphenyl ethers, are added to products such as televisions, computers, textiles, building materials, infant car seats, and strollers. Laboratory studies show that PBDEs may harm the developing brain, hamper sperm development, and impair thyroid function.

Twelve states have banned at least two PBDEs, and four states (Washington, Maine, Vermont, and Oregon) have banned all three of the most widely used PBDEs. Many states have actions pending, based upon evidence that these chemicals are persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic.

In May 2009, 164 governmental Parties to the international Stockholm Convention added several BFRs to the treaty list that signifies that these substances pose significant threats to human health and the environment such that a global elimination of these chemicals is needed.

Chemical manufacturers of PBDEs have a direct financial interest in preventing limits on the use of their product. They have organized themselves to oppose policies to require non-toxic fire safety through PBDE restrictions that are advancing across the U.S. and internationally.


Programs Overview Global Chemical Safety Program Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families Safer Substitutes to Brominated Flame Retardants Equitable and Sustainable Economy		Safer Substitutes to Brominated Flame Retardants Since 2006, EHF has worked with thirteen U.S. state coalitions and numerous market-based campaigns to phase out PBDEs. EHF facilitates an international collaborative of environmental and public health advocates, scientists, researchers, and policy experts to work on eliminating unnecessary toxic brominated flame retardants from production, use and disposal worldwide. We are working to drive the marketplace toward safer substitutes by weaving together the BFR-elimination work in the U.S. with existing global prohibitions of BFRs under the Stockholm Convention and the European Union “restriction of use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment” — also known as the RoHS directive. Brominated flame retardants, called PBDEs or polybrominated diphenyl ethers, are added to products such as televisions, computers, textiles, building materials, infant car seats, and strollers. Laboratory studies show that PBDEs may harm the developing brain, hamper sperm development, and impair thyroid function. Twelve states have banned at least two PBDEs, and four states (Washington, Maine, Vermont, and Oregon) have banned all three of the most widely used PBDEs. Many states have actions pending, based upon evidence that these chemicals are persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic. In May 2009, 164 governmental Parties to the international Stockholm Convention added several BFRs to the treaty list that signifies that these substances pose significant threats to human health and the environment such that a global elimination of these chemicals is needed. Chemical manufacturers of PBDEs have a direct financial interest in preventing limits on the use of their product. They have organized themselves to oppose policies to require non-toxic fire safety through PBDE restrictions that are advancing across the U.S. and internationally.