PBDE-iron

Background Information about PBDE's (Polybrominated diphenyl ethers

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers are organic compounds that are used to resist the spread of a fire. They are used in building materials, motor vehicles, airplanes and furnishings. It is a danger to humans and wildlife because the toxicants from the PBDE can get into the air. It is used in the U.S and Europe.

Abstract & Summary's PBDE's are chemical flame retardants that are used in plastics. They are organic compounds that are used to resist the spread of a fire. They are used in building materials, motor vehicles, airplanes and furnishings.

A lot of dangers come about because of PBDE but no one really takes it as serious as it should be. They can cause liver toxicity, thyroid toxicity, and neurodevelopmental toxicity.

I believe that because of the health hazards that this chemical has, it should be taken more serious than what it is. There is no need to wait until the last minuet when something really dangerous happens when it could be prevented. My views on PBDE's are half and half because on one end, I am for them because they protect us from fire if were ever to be set on fire but on the other hand they are also killing us in the process.

The benefits of PBDE's are that they are in our everyday appliances, so obviously they are needed. But some actions need to be taken such as seeing if something can be used to substitute the chemical that will be less harmful to humans and wildlife as well. -Jasmine Harris-Foster

Polybrominated biphenyl ethers or PBDEs are compounds most commonly used as flame retardants. They are used on everyday items like computer, children’s pajamas, toys, furniture, and clothing. They are used all over the world in places like Europe, Canada, Asia, and North America PBDEs are apart of a of a broader class of brominated chemicals used as flame retardants that are called bromated flame retardants. There are dozens of varieties of the basic chemical type, of PBDEs. Even though flame retardants save lives and properties they do raise health, environmental, political, and economic imputations. PBDEs have been found in environment and in human, which is not healthy for either. They can liver toxicity, thyroid toxicity, and Neurodevelopment toxicity. These risks are very high especially because they are exposed to children, as mentioned before. Environmental monitoring programs have found PBDEs in exotic bird, fish, milk and human breast milk. Some PBDEs can even mimic estrogen. A lot of countries are in the process of banning the use of this flame retardant because it has such a high risk level; Washington is the first state to do it in the U.S

In my position on PBDEs are kind of null. I say this because I do not have a distinct opinion about it. One side of me believes that we shouldn’t use because they are not good for us and can cause a lot of grief to people they affect. Then on the other side I really don’t care because so far they haven’t done anything that major, because we haven’t heard anything about and because government has yet to take aggressive actions.

Some of the benefits of using PBDEs are of course preventing fires. Saving the lives unsuspecting people and their property. Some of the cost are the long term effects and diseases they can cause also the political ramification of trying to pass bills. Also if companies were to stop using how hard it would be if they had to change their whole process that they relied on, ad they might not have enough money to do such a thing. So in conclusion I think that we don’t have to stop the use of them completely but, but just in moderation if we continue to do it. SO then this way PBDEs won’t end up in so many places they don’t belong in or if they do not so much will the affects will be great. -Dominque Miller

PBDE's are organic chemical compounds made from organobromine compounds that contain carbon and bromine that are bonded together in the carbon-bromine bond. An organic chemical compound is any member of a huge class of chemical compounds who has molecules that contain oxygen.
 * Synthesis/Production **

If PBDEs were banned companies would be forced to find a safer and approved alternate for the for the products, because even though they are dangerous they are very vital in the production of many products. There are alternates for PBDEs that are safer and very cost effective, I could not find cost but companies such as Intel, Ikea, and Ericsson have already began to use them. I don't think that we would have to loose products if PBDEs were banned, because there are so many alternates. The main exporters of PBDEs are China and Australia. If they were to ban PBDEs I think that it would affect my in a very minor health way. Plus, I would not truely be affected because companies would be forced and would be successfull in finding a better alternate. Some political ramifications of banning this would be a major up roar from companies who depend on PBDEs in their products who are to lazy or don't have enough money to change products. There would also be a very positive responce from people suffering becasue of the the chemical, and those who care about out enviroment enough to do something about this dangerous chemical.


 * Human health implications **

Lab studies have shown that PBDE’s have cause problems in rodent- brain development and can also put humans in danger as well. PBDE’s haven’t really been taken seriously like they should be. PBDEs may possess liver toxicity, thyroid toxicity, and neurodevelopmental toxicity. I am not sure of reactions that can happen to your body but I would assume that it wouldn’t be good.


 * Environmental implications

PBDEs is not a great risk in the environment as much as it for humans. Since PBDEs are used as a flame retardant they mainly react on things such as computers, children's night clothes, and motor vehicles. PBDEs enter air, water, and soil during their manufacture and use in consumer products. In air, PBDEs can be present as particles, but eventually settle to soil or water. Sunlight can degrade some PBDEs. PBDEs do not dissolve easily in water, but stick to particles and settle to the bottom of river or lakes. Some PBDEs can accumulate in fish but usually at low concentrations.**

Economic/Political Impact
 * PBDE's are organic chemical compounds made from organobromine compounds that contain carbon and bromine that are bonded together in the carbon-bromine bond. An organic chemical compound is any member of a huge class of chemical compounds who has molecules that contain oxygen.

If PBDEs were banned companies would be forced to find a safer and approved alternate for the for the products, because even though they are dangerous they are very vital in the production of many products. There are alternates for PBDEs that are safer and very cost effective, I could not find cost but companies such as Intel, Ikea, and Ericsson have already began to use them. I don't think that we would have to loose products if PBDEs were banned, because there are so many alternates. The main exporters of PBDEs are China and Australia. If they were to ban PBDEs I think that it would affect my in a very minor health way. Plus, I would not truely be affected because companies would be forced and would be successfull in finding a better alternate. Some political ramifications of banning this would be a major up roar from companies who depend on PBDEs in their products who are to lazy or don't have enough money to change productd. There would also be a very positive responce from people suffering becasue of the the chemical, and those who care about out enviroment enough to do something about this dangerous chemical.**