Bad news about increased usage and human toxicity of halogenated flame retardants

Three new messages with very worrisome news about both increased usage and human toxicity of halogenated flame retardants are below. This is in spite of the recent decaBDE phase out and the Green Science Policy Institute's success in stopping new flammability standards that could have led to billions of pounds of additional BFRs and CFRs.

1. According to the February 1 issue of C&E News, Albermarle's profits rose 377% in 2009 compared to 2008:
"Earnings were powered by an increase in the sales of brominated flame retardants. Albermarle saw significant rise in quarterly earnings from to $62 million from $13 million in 2008. Their annual sales were $558 million.

2. From Above the Fold, the same chlorinated tris our work help remove from kids pajamas in the 1970s was found in 96 percent of dust samples from Massachusetts homes. Levels of chlorinated tris in the dust can be correlated with a decline in the thyroid hormone free thyroxine (T4) in exposed men.

As one class of flame retardants is phased out due to health concerns, new types – sometimes with widespread exposure and unknown effects – may be phased in. A new study examining one type of potential replacement chemicals called organophosphorous flame retardants finds that men exposed through house dust had lower thyroid hormone levels and reduced sperm concentration. More...
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/newscience/op-fire-retardants...

3. Please see document attached with data that over the last 3 years the uses of BFrs has nearly doubled in Asia from 139,000 to 246, 000 metric tons and increased globally from 311,000 to 410, 000 metric tons. Also see the graph below.

Some possible explanations for the big increase in Asia
1. all the furniture and baby products imported from China to the all of North America do meet California TB117 and are said to treated with BFRs and CFRs
2. the increase in energy efficient building where insulation materials are usually treated with these chemicals
3. The BFR industry is extremely active promoting their products in Asia. Check out http://www.flameexpo.com/en/ for a sobering view of the potential expansion of the use and sale of halogenated flame retardants in Asia being promoted by chemical producers at a huge annual expos in Shanghai.