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Dangers of BDE-209
BDE-209 has been phased out in the U.S., European Union and China, but the flame retardant can still be found in electronic casings. Dana Fowle has what you need to know.
Atlanta - WHAT WE KNOW: The chemical in question is BDE-209. Researchers in both the private and public sectors say it can cause reproductive disruption, developmental toxicity in fetuses and infants, as well as carcinogenicity. Its use has been phased out in the United States, the European Union, and China.
WHERE IT'S FOUND: Black, flame-retardant plastics are still found in electronic shell casings, insulation, and appliances. When they are recycled, BDE-209 can find its way back into the marketplace through cooking utensils like spatulas, children's toys, and sushi containers, according to "Toxic-Free Future."
THE OTHER SIDE: The Environmental Protection Agency claims there are safe levels of daily exposure and the current research by the advocacy group with the corrected math shows that the products do remain in that federally-declared safe zone.
MORE INFORMATION: The National Institutes of Health continues to study the health effects of "forever chemicals." They are chemical compounds that remain in the body virtually forever. As many as 99 percent of the American population has been exposed.
THE SOURCE: The research paper results and its subsequent correction appeared in Chemospere journal via the Science Direct platform. The research was conducted by "Toxic-Free Future." The federal government's studies regarding the dangers of "forever chemicals" have been reported through the National Institutes of Health. The Environmental Protection Agency has conducted multiple studies on this area of chemicals.