PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers)
Toxins · Flame retardant
Moderate priority
Bottom line
Read Off Label rates PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers) a MODERATE avoidance priority (5.3/10) based on strong evidence of medium harm magnitude and low-moderate exposure prevalence.
California TB117 furniture flammability standard drove huge US PBDE use 1975-2013.
The intervention here is reducing exposure, not adding a compound.
What this is
California TB117 furniture flammability standard drove huge US PBDE use 1975-2013. Body burdens in Americans were 10x Europeans before phase-out. Household dust is the major continued exposure route. Replacement chemicals have 'regrettable substitution' concerns.
Mechanism
Brominated flame retardants added to furniture foam, electronics, textiles; chemically similar to PCBs; endocrine disruptors, neurodevelopmental toxicants; largely phased out of new products since 2004-2013
Dose & route
Damp-dust; HEPA vacuum; avoid pre-2014 furniture foam; wash hands before eating
Citations
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28472688/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18414642/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5407328/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41420538/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41488243/
Links go to the source. If a link is dead or you want something re-checked, let me know.
Common questions
- How harmful is PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers)?
- PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers) is rated MODERATE avoidance priority (5.3/10) on the Read Off Label scale, derived from strong evidence of medium harm magnitude and low-moderate exposure prevalence.
- How does PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers) cause harm?
- Brominated flame retardants added to furniture foam, electronics, textiles; chemically similar to PCBs; endocrine disruptors, neurodevelopmental toxicants; largely phased out of new products since 2004-2013
- How do you reduce exposure to PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers)?
- California TB117 furniture flammability standard drove huge US PBDE use 1975-2013.
This is an independent synthesis of published research by a non-clinician. Scores are opinions supported by citations, not prescriptions. See the full disclaimer and methodology for how this score was produced and what it does and doesn't mean.