Kathleen E. Schuler, MPH, Food and Health Program, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, 2105 First Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55404, 612-870-3468, kschuler@iatp.org

Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants are emerging as a significant health threat. Due to their use in a wide variety of products, including electronics, foam, textiles and transportation, they are now widely distributed in the environment. Like their chemical cousins PCBs, they are toxic, persistent and bioaccumulative in the environment and in human tissues, blood and breast milk. Recent data that indicate levels of PBDEs in U.S. women’s breast milk are 10-100 higher than for European women are cause for alarm. In the absence of federal policies to restrict these chemicals, states are beginning to take action to regulate these problem chemicals and some industries are phasing out their use in products. California enacted a ban on two products, penta-BDE and octa-BDE in 2003. Several states are working on similar regulation, including Massachusetts, Minnesota, Michigan, Maryland, Maine and Washington. Recent state and industry actions do not completely address the problem and more aggressive action/regulation is needed at all levels.

Learning Objectives:

• · Identify problem PBDE flame retardants and their chemical properties and use in products.
• · Assess public policy options to reduce PBDE contamination and human exposure in the U.S.
• · Evaluate state government efforts to regulate PBDEs in products, as precautionary public health policies.
• · Identify gaps in current regulations and industry efforts to address this problem.

Keywords: Environmental Health Hazards, Public Health Policy

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.