Yeah ~ they think it's beary funny to scare the "flammables" after dark!
Posted on 06/01/2004 7:54:50 AM PDT by dead
Chemicals widely used as flame retardants in homes have been discovered in Arctic polar bears and birds, and could pose a health hazard, Norwegian scientists say.
Now the Government is to seek a European Union review of the chemicals, which are used in everything from computers to clothes.
"Traces of the compounds were found in studies of polar bears and in glaucous gulls," said Geir Wing Gabrielsen, head of a toxicology research program at the Norwegian Polar Institute. "This is the first time that this flame retardant has been found in the Arctic."
Traces of the so-called deca-BDE flame retardant, commonly used in car upholstery and televisions, had previously been found in falcons in Sweden and samples of human blood further south.
But the discovery in Arctic animals, far from sources of pollution and swept north by prevailing winds and ocean currents, was a sign that they might not break down as quickly into harmless units as previously thought, Dr Gabrielsen said.
The European Union will ban two other types of brominated flame retardant, penta-BDE and octa-BDE, this year because of health worries. Norway, a non-member, will ban them, too.
The environmental group WWF called for a ban on deca-BDE, even though it said little was known about its toxicity.
"The fact that it travels long distances, accumulates in wildlife and potentially breaks down into other harmful compounds is, in WWF's view, enough to justify a ban," it said.
Brominated flame retardants save thousands of lives every year by slowing the spread of fires, manufacturers say.
Reuters
Maybe someone told the bears that a big forest fire was coming and they are just trying to be prepared.
Yeah ~ they think it's beary funny to scare the "flammables" after dark!
Fear not!
Well, it's been two years. Any polar bear fires lately?
When the polar bears attack we won't be able to use flame throwers.
We're all going to diiiiiiiiieeeeeeee. Aiyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.
I dare to care how a polar bear would fare during a solar flare.
One night I dreamt I was an Eskimo
With furry coat, a dogsled and harpoons
A frozen feller on a Northern floe
With ice-axe, rope, and on my boots crampoons
Stalking was I, out for the crafty seal
Just like the one from out my car I blew
“It’s just ice cream,” that penguin made appeal
But never mind that old joke, I beg you
A polar bear then walked up, burning bright
And stared at me, his pallid fur a-sizzle
And said “Yo Bill, this ain’t no Northern Light,
It just ain’t good to smoke up all that shizzle.
So pass the Sterno, count your limbs, beware,
You're breakfast for a Nomex polar bear.”
What do you mean "don't give up the day job?"
;-)
Dang. I thought maybe the scare was over the possibility that we might start harvesting polar bears for their flame retardant blubber.
How do people like you do things like that! With a reward large as life or a gun to my head I could not be as clever like that in 5 years of trying.
They really can't do worse than the current overlords. I for one will appreciate there "direct" approach to issues.
OH MY GO...Burp
Thanks very much!
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