Free Republic

OTTAWA -- A coalition of environmental groups and firefighters are calling on the federal government to ban flame retardants they say are toxic and pose a serious health risk. The group of chemicals are called polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEs, and are commonly found in many consumer products, such as the casings of television sets, curtains and carpets. Numerous scientific studies indicate these chemicals are linked to serious health issues, including neurological and reproductive problems, said Lisa Gue, environmental health policy analyst with the David Suzuki Foundation. "We are calling for all chemicals in this class ... to be banned,"...

LOS ANGELES -- Toxic chemicals used as flame retardants are rapidly building up in the bodies of people and wildlife around the world, approaching levels in American women and their babies that could harm developing brains, new research shows. The chemicals, PBDEs, or polybrominated diphenyl ethers, are used to reduce the spread of fire in an array of plastic and foam products in homes and offices, including upholstered furniture, building materials, televisions, computers and other electronic equipment. This year, the European Union banned the two PBDE compounds that have been shown to accumulate in human bodies. Some European industries already...