It seems like every 6 months there is a new chemical to worry about. Somehow, the chemical got past safety inspectors and is now in lots of products we use every day. Like DDT and more recently popular BPA, the new chemical of concern has a handy abbreviation: PBDES. Want to know where it is found and what to do about it? Read on…
PBDES, or polybrominated diphenyl ethers, are found in lots of products due to their ability to decrease the risk of fire. Recent articles in The Economist and on Treehugger.com, point out that this family of chemicals, commonly found in furniture, carpeting, fabrics, plastics, and electronics, may decrease female fertility in humans. Like PCBs, these chemicals stick around in the environment for a long time, so even if/when they are banned, humans will continue to suffer their effects for years to come.
So what can you do to avoid PBDES while more research is done on their health impacts? For starters, as the Treehugger.com article points out, you can focus on buying products made from natural materials that are minimally treated or processed and when shopping for a new mattress, make sure you find one that is PBDE free.
Other Posts by Johnnie Chamberlin
Johnnie Chamberlin currently lives and works in Bloomington, IN. He holds a MS in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Duke University and a degree in Cognitive Science from UC Berkeley. Johnnie has years of experience in environmental conservation, outreach, and policy work. He is the author of "Trails of Little Rock: A Guide to Little Rock's Land and Water Trails". In his free time he enjoys hiking, kayaking, backpacking, and reading in his hammock. For more on Chamberlin's work with the Little Rock, Arkansas Fourche Creek Watershed Initiative go to www.fourchecreek.org
