Susan,
Here is some hyperbole from Friends of the
Earth. But it shows where this is coming from. I have also included a few
references that they have cited. When I say "hyperbole" I am not saying
that there is absolutely no problem, I am just sick of people saying the sky
is falling to get people riled up enough about something to get a response.
I think in the long run it does the environmental cause a disservice.
regards,
Bev Christian
Nortel networks
"Persisten[t] organic pollutants: the danger
is not over" Swedish Environmental Protection Agency Press Release 12/8/98,
at
http://www.environ.se/www-eng/epress/p980812.htm. Background on BFRs in
"Swedish research spotlights brominated flame retardant risk"
ENDS Report 276, January 1998.
[2] "Do flame retardants threaten ocean
life?" Nature vol 394, p28-29, 2nd July 1998.
[3] "Sustainable Production and Use of
Chemicals", published by the Department of the Environment, Transport and
the Regions, July 27th 1998.
Chemicals in telephones could scramble your
brain
Embargo: 00.01hours Monday 17th August 1998
page 1 of 2
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:
"Are human babies as sensitive as young
mice? We do not know, but we cannot ignore the risk"
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:
"This 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."
ENDS
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [log in to unmask] [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Thursday, July 08, 1999 11:59 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: [TN] FR4 Replacement
>
> What is the concern with the flame retardant?
>
> Susan Mansilla
> Robisan Lab
|
