OREGON / NEW YORK STAND UP FOR FEWER TOXINS
On March 29, 2009, The Oregonian reported that several bills were going to the legislature regarding toxins in a number of items including furniture and baby bottles. One goal is to ban the decabrominated diphenyl ether (DBDE) used in some upholstered furniture and certain mattresses and T.V. sets as a fire retardant, by 2011.
While the idea of protecting items from going up in flames in itself is noble, some contend the way it has been done has been risky. According to a Michigan Tech report, while DBDE has been considered safer by manufacturers than polybrominated
diphenyl ether (PBDE), DBDEs have been revealed in Sweden in peregrine falcon eggs and freshwater fish but of even more concern, a Texas study discovered DBDEs in 30% of breast milk samples.
According to the report, "Some scientists...argue that the many question marks surrounding DBDEs and its effects on human health are enough to justify regulating...and searching for alternatives while more study is done."
A 2003 study by Toxicological Sciences reported neurological derangements in adult mice which received DBDE, so the potentially known dangers aren't new but debates by opponents of regulation are intense, including arguments that studies on earthworms and more did not produce concerns.
An eWaste article of 2006 cited a 2002 study in Japan where concern was expressed regarding an estimated 6,000 ton per year flow of DBDE into the waste stream. The study concluded that, "These results suggest the necessity of characterizing emissions during the service life of products, which is essential information for formulating appropriate recycling strategy."
An April 2, 2009 article in Finding Dulcinea not only mentions Oregon's efforts but says that New York has jumped on the bandwagon as well. Finding Dulcinea also has a March 2009 article on BPA (Bisphenol A) in baby bottles. BPA is an endocrine disruptor and has also been linked to breast cancer.
Legislation has been introduced to, for one thing, label products containing the chemical so that consumers can make an informed choice. According to Scientific American, in March 2009, Suffolk Co. in Long Island, New York, voted to ban baby bottles and sippy cups made with BPA (in their county) and "Canada banned use of the chemical compound in baby products last year..."
There is a company that already makes BPA-free baby bottles and other baby products called Bornfree. Their products might be found at Babies R Us, Buy Buy Baby, CVS Pharmacy, Diapers.Com, Target, and Whole Foods or check
www.newbornfree.com.
