Household dust: Did you know it may contain the chemical bromine? Historically, flame retardants have contained the chemical bromine. Consumer products such as electronics, mattresses, upholstery, carpets, textiles, plastics, wire insulation, automobiles, and more often had this flame retardant within. The product was phased out, but can linger in the products we have. Even products you may receive from overseas may have it.
Researchers recently studied household dust. They discovered that it not uncommonly contained bromine-related chemicals.
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Since the 1970s, chemicals known as brominated flame retardants have been added to numerous household products. Electronics, mattresses, upholstery, carpets, textiles, plastics, wire insulation, automobiles, and more. Why? They can improve fire safety. The bad? One form— polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEs — is harmful to human hormonal systems.
PBDEs have been restricted in Canada since 2008 and phased out in 2004 in the United States. Still, there remain concerns that certain forms of the chemical are persistent and bioaccumulative. PBDEs may cause neurobehavioral effects, in addition to ecotoxicity in birds, mammals, fish, and invertebrates.
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