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polybrominated diphenylether (PBDE)
For more details of this and other Dioxin 98 related papers see:
http://www.environ.se/dioxin98
Alan
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TELEPHONES COULD SCRAMBLE YOUR BRAIN It's Official!
New research to be revealed today at a major international
conference organised by the Swedish Environmental Protection
Agency shows chemicals added to the plastics in many phones, TVs
and computers can permanently damage the brains of mice [1].
These chemicals, brominated flame retardants (BFRs), are known to
contaminate human blood and breast milk.
The author of the report, Per Eriksson, of the University of
Uppsala, has said:
ìAre human babies as sensitive as young mice? We do not know, but
we cannot ignore the riskî
BFRs are used as flame retardants in printed circuit boards,
plastic cases and in some textiles. They persist in the
environment, and were recently found to be contaminating the
blubber of Sperm Whales living in the remote, deep ocean waters of
the Atlantic ocean [2]. Some BFRs have also been shown to be able
to disrupt the hormone system. The new research shows that very
low doses of one BFR, polybrominated diphenylether (PBDE), given
to baby mice, led to irreparable brain damage, causing reduced
learning capacity and hyperactive behaviour.
The Government recently published a consultation paper on the
sustainable use of chemicals [3], which Friends of the Earth (FOE)
believes is biased towards the chemical industry, with public
health relegated to a poor second place. FOE is calling for the
Government to protect public health by phasing out BFRs and any
other chemicals which persist in our bodies or in the environment.
Dr Michael Warhurst, Toxics Campaigner at Friends of the Earth
said:
ìThis disturbing research suggests that these common chemicals
could be damaging the development of our children's minds.
Brominated flame retardants contaminate our bodies and the most
remote natural environments. The Government must act urgently to
stop the use of these chemicals. Even then
they will continue to be in our bodies and the environment for
many years. The chemical industry knew very well that these
chemicals would be persistent, yet cynically carried on using
them, even though safer alternatives are available. It is time
that the industry faced up to its responsibilities and acted to
protect human health and the environment.î
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS:
[1] The paper is to be presented at Dioxin'98, a major
international conference on environmental pollutants, organised by
the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, and taking place in
Stockholm next week. They will be holding a press conference at
12 noon (11.00 BST) on Monday 17th August. An extensive press
release will be submitted to the conference web page after the
press conference, http://www.environ.se/dioxin98. It is expected
that the paper on BFRs will be given on Thursday 20th.
Press contacts : Swedish Environmental Protection Agency:
Suzanne Kolare, Tel +46 8 698 16 97, mobile 0708-26 16 97, e-mail
suzanne.kolare@environ.se; Stockholm university: Agneta Paulsson,
+46-8- 16 22 56, e-mail agneta.paulsson@info.su.se
ìPersisten[t] organic pollutants: the danger is not overî Swedish
Environmental Protection Agency Press Release 12/8/98, at
http://www.environ.se/www-eng/epress/p980812.htm. Background on
BFRs in ìSwedish research spotlights brominated flame retardant
riskî ENDS Report 276, January 1998.
[2] ìDo flame retardants threaten ocean life?î Nature vol 394,
p28-29, 2nd July 1998.
[3] ìSustainable Production and Use of Chemicalsî, published by
the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, July
27th 1998. Open for consultation until October 27th, copies
available from DETR: 0870 1226 236, quoting title and reference
98EP0058.
Friends of the Earth's Sustainable Chemicals Campaign:
http://www.foe.co.uk/camps/indpoll/suschem.htm
-------------------------------------------------------------
Friends of the Earth E-mail: info-request@foe.co.uk
26-28 Underwood Street URL: http://www.foe.co.uk/
London Tel: 0171 490 1555
N1 7JQ Fax: 0171 490 0881
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_\\|//_ Alan Watson C.Eng
(' O^O ') Oakleigh
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