Toxics

Some good news!

In April 2009, the Government of Canada proposed to restrict the use, import, and sale of electronics containing the dangerous flame retardant DecaBDE (see below for more on PBDEs). They have announced a 60 day comment period--make sure you let them know that you support a strong ban on these toxic chemicals. Send an e-mail to RiskManagementPrograms@ec.gc.ca, with PBDE in the subject line, or go to the

Canada’s move to follow the European Union in phasing out these chemicals in electronics is a positive step toward protecting public health.

Detailed backgrounder with timelines on PBDE bans in Canada and other jurisdictions.
Read the press release

But Canada still has a long way to go to protect its citizens from a myriad of other man-made toxic chemicals, despite promises from the current government dating back to 2006. Read the joint press release (January 2009) from a coalition of environmental health groups calling for immediate action.

Toxic Flame Retardants--A Burning Issue

The Basics of PBDEs
If you're like most people, you’ve probably never heard of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). But along with virtually every Canadian, you are surrounded by these chemicals.

These chemicals are used as flame retardants in a wide-range of consumer products, including TVs, computers, electronics, motor vehicles, carpets, and furniture.

Health Effects
Health effects of PBDE exposure include damage to the neurological, reproductive, immune, and hormonal systems. The most widely used chemical in this group, decaBDE, is also a suspected carcinogen. These toxic chemicals are released into the environment during manufacturing, and end up in household dust as products containing them degrade.

High Concentrations of PBDEs in humans and animals
The discovery that PBDEs are rapidly accumulating in humans and the environment has raised serious concerns. Sweden has banned all these chemicals for health and environmental reasons. Many U.S. states are following suit. Legislation to ban decaBDE has been introduced in Washington, California, Maine, and Illinois.

There are currently no restrictions on the manufacture, import, sale, or use of PBDEs in Canada, despite the fact that Canadian women and killer whales have some of the world’s highest concentrations of PBDEs. PBDEs found in marine mammals increased by 7,000 per cent from 1984-2003 and continue to double every 3.5 to four years.

PBDE levels in peregrine falcons have been recorded at levels close to those dangerous to lab rats.

PBDEs are flame retardants, but Firefighters support banning them

Many firefighters' organizations in the United States strongly support motions to ban PBDEs, because of the occupational health hazards they present to these frontline workers. Firefighters are keenly aware of the dangers of highly flammable consumer products, but they also know many alternatives to PBDEs are available today.

Reports and Resources

Backgrounder on PBDEs and Notice of Objection
Fiche Documentaire--PBDEs
Notice of Objection to proposed federal PBDE regulations
Fact Sheet: Alternatives to PBDEs

Report: Fireproof Whales and Contaminated Mother’s Milk:
The Inadequacy of Canada’s Proposed PBDE Regulations
(24 pages--611 KB)

Press releases on Flame Retardant PBDEs

Proposed ban on toxic flame retardant in electronics--April 1, 2009
Ban all forms of toxic fire-retardant PBDE--April 24, 2007
Washington State Passes Bill to Ban PBDEs --April 4, 2007
Legal complaint highlights gaping loopholes in proposed regulations--Feb 19, 2007

Links
Ecological Screening Assessment Report on PBDEs (Environment Canada)
Proposed PBDE regulations(Government of Canada)
“About PBDEs” (CEPA Registry)
Sierra Legal Defence Fund
Canadian Environmental Law Association
Canadian Partnership for Children’s Health and the Environment
“Toxic Nation” (Environmental Defence)
Clean Production Action
Washington Toxics Coalition
Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow
Washington State Department of Ecology
Environmental Working Group