|
|
Reducing Californians' Exposure to Toxic Chemicals By Banning Brominated and Chlorinated Fire Retardantsby Mark Leno Over the last 50 years, chemicals have come to play a role in all aspects of our lives. They make our clothes brighter, keep insects out of our fruits and vegetables and protect us from fires. But they come at a cost. Many of us assume that the chemicals in the products sold to us have gone through testing to ensure their safety. In fact, only a small number of the 80,000 chemicals registered with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have been tested for harmful effects. Each of us have some degree of chemical contamination in our bodies, and scientists are only now learning how they can have a profound affect on our health and the Earth. This year, I have authored Assembly Bill 706 which will ban the use of two classes of toxic fire retardants— brominated and chlorinated fire retardants—in upholstered furniture and bedding products such as pillows, comforters and mattresses. For all the right public safety reasons, California has some of the toughest fire retardance standards on the books. These standards, passed in the 1970’s are the reason why California became the first and only state that adds chemical fire retardants to our sofas, chairs, and mattresses. Not surprisingly, over the past 20 years, the toxic chemicals used as fire retardants have been measured at increasing and alarming rates in humans. Brominated fire retardants are found at the highest levels in babies, toddlers, and women. Because these chemicals bioaccumulate in fatty tissues, they are passed to babies when they are breast fed by their mothers. In fact, PBDE’s, a subcategory of brominated fire retardants, have increased forty-fold in human breast milk since the 1970’s. Even so, it’s important to note that the benefits of breastfeeding far outweigh the chemical exposure risks and is still strongly recommended by the medical community. So, now that we know these chemicals are in us, what will they do to us? Unfortunately the growing body of research is chilling, to say the least. Studies link exposure to low concentrations of certain fire retardants to cancer and birth defects. Additionally, they can cause reproductive problems, disrupt thyroid hormone balance and contribute to a variety of neurological and developmental deficits, including low intelligence and learning disabilities. All of which is particularly frightening considering exposure to these chemicals begins in the womb, then through breast milk, and continually thereafter through dust from our upholstered furniture and other sources. When the State Legislature banned two brominated fire retardant chemicals in 2003, the chemical industry response was to replace them with chlorinated tris in our furniture. This is the same chemical that was banned from children’s pajamas over 30 years ago. With safer alternatives already on the market that meet our fire safety standards and create new economic opportunities for green chemistry, it’s clear we can do better. In fact, AB 706 may become a strong tool in increasing the fire safety of our furniture. If you would like more information about my work in creating a safer environment for each of us, and in particular supporting our brave men and women in the firefighting community, please feel free to contact my office here in San Francisco, 415-557-3013, email me directly at Assemblymember.Leno@asm.ca.gov, or visit my website. Assemblymmeber Mark Leno represents the 13th District, which encompasses the eastern portion of San Francisco. |
Last year, Assemblyman Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) sponsored a bill banning two types of toxic chemicals used as fire retardants in foam padding in furniture. These chlorinated and brominated chemicals are linked to cancer, birth defects and reproductive disorders; they migrate from furniture to dust particles, are breathed in by children and pets, and are found in the breast milk of nursing mothers. That bill, however, never reached Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's desk, falling victim to election-year squabbling.
