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Each day we are exposed to chemicals that range from relatively safe to downright harmful. Our natural environment is no longer “natural” and many of the chemicals used in day-to-day products have been found to cause more harm than good. There are many recent examples of the negative consequences caused by overexposure to chemicals, with the most recent being the danger of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). In layman’s terms, PBDEs are used to treat furniture, carpeting and other consumer products to lessen the potential for fire. This flame retardant chemical has now been linked to fertility problems in women trying to conceive. In a study released by the School of Public Health, U.C. Berkeley, “women with the highest levels of PBDEs were twice as likely to take more than a year to conceive”. This is the first evidence of PBDEs possible affect on humans, however previous animal studies suggested a link between PBDE exposure and hormonal and reproductive issues. While these findings are specific to conception and reproductive issues, it is not only woman who have to worry about exposure to PBDEs.

Where are PBDEs found?

Many household products are treated with chemical fire retardants from carpet padding to electronics. They can be found in plastics and other fabrics and are used to prevent the treated material from catching fire or burning easily when exposed to flames or high levels of heat. Adults and children alike are exposed to PBDEs each day, with some found in clothing and toys. In fact other findings have shown that 97 percent of people in the United States have detectable levels of chemicals in their blood.

Should there be a ban on PBDEs?

While the findings of one study cannot prove one way or the other whether the subjects were in fact affected by PBDEs there should be more research on the topic to find out for certain. The Environmental Protection Agency has banned two PBDEs with another in its sights. As new chemicals replace this commonly used flame retardant the risk of exposure goes down, however is not completely eliminated. When contacted about the study recently released, the American Chemistry Council did not reply to inquiries on the subject. In the past however, the ACC has defended the use of PBDEs stating “Fire-retardant materials and components play a critical role in fire safety”. Considering the fact that materials treated with flame retardants are in fact slower to catch on fire or burn, this is a factor that should be considered.

In the end, consumers are still left with two choices, reaping the benefits associated with these and other chemicals that provide increased safety or risking their health due to unknown issues that may result from exposure.