Mind your PBDE's

We've been told for years to buy flame-retardant pajamas for our children, and tuck them into flame-retardant beds. Indeed, the government has often mandated the use of fire retardant chemicals in manufacturing, with an eye toward preventing the flaming family Christmas tree from igniting your child's bedding.

Science News reports that the chemicals used to retard flames include Polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs), neurotoxicants that are particuarly harmful to children. Worse, the dust-borne toxins accumulate in the system and are not flushed out by the body. Even the EPA now acknowledges that there maybe a downside to fire-retardants.

What can you do at home? The Healthy Children Project lists suggestions for ways in which you can ameliorate the situation, with tips that range from avoiding buying flame-resistant children's clothing, to buying used furniture that has already off-gassed much of the harmful chemical residue.

Link via enviroblog, which should be a daily read if you have children in the house.

image sxc.hu.