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IS MY SOFA HAZARDOUS TO MY HEALTH? Ronald D. Weiss, MD, Medical Director, The Doctor is In, 6701 Bergenline Avenue 201-758-9100
At the Doctor is In, we understand that a person’s health is connected to many factors. We are committed to helping patients take care of both themselves and their environments. For years, I have encouraged patients to avoid using certain chemicals in their homes and to avoid fire resistant materials. Thankfully, the notion of “green” living has become more mainstream and my patients are beginning to realize that taking a holistic approach to healthy living is crucial, whether shopping at the supermarket or purchasing furniture. Please read more below.
In the nineteen seventies, legislation was passed mandating that children’s pajamas, mattresses and sofas be made fire resistant; Thus polybrominated diethyl ethers, also known as PBDEs, came into common usage as flame retardants. PBDEs were sprayed on pajamas and used as a coating for the foam cushions used in sofas and in mattresses. Today PBDEs are also used in a wide variety of products such as computers, TVs , microwave ovens, telephones, vehicles, carpets and building materials to make them resistant to fire. It appears that PBDEs have escaped from our sofas and mattresses and are now found in some worrisome places, including house dust, dairy products such as milk, butter and cheese, beef, salmon, whale blubber and human breast milk.
Annually, fifty thousand metric tons of PBDEs are produced worldwide with 40 % of that total being produced in North America alone. The European Union recognized the potential dangers of PBDE accumulation in ourselves and the environment and banned the most commonly used PBDE (penta) in 2004. In 2008, the manufacture and use of two other PBDEs, octa and deca, will also be banned in the EU. In North American women, the total body burden of PBDEs is 40 times that of Swedish Women and rising at an alarming rate. It is interesting to note that under the Bush administration, the EPA has not seen fit to ban PBDEs, however, the mattress and furniture industry has voluntarily switched to another flame retardant due to pressure from the scientific community and environmental groups. This new flame retardant is called Firemaster 550 and its chemical composition has not been publicized. It’s effects on human health and the environment are unknown.
What are the health hazards concerning PBDEs ? PBDEs are known to readily interfere with thyroid and liver function in lab animals. Animal studies have also linked PBDEs with behavioral deficits and interfering with brain development. The chemical is also considered to be a “possible carcinogen” by the EPA. PCBs and PBBs, which are chemical cousins of PBDEs are known to be extremely potent carcinogens.
How can I reduce my exposure to PBDEs? Until two years ago, most sofas and mattresses sold in the U.S. contained PBDEs. In fact as much as one third of the weight of a standard foam sofa cushion is made up of PBDEs. Today, most sofas and mattresses sold in this country are treated with Firemaster 550. I would recommend avoiding this product, as its health and environmental effects are unknown. For several years, IKEA’s furniture has been PBDE-free; The flame retardant used in IKEA sofa cushions is melamine, a relatively inert formica-like substance. It is also possible to buy PBDE-free sofas and mattresses from smaller companies that promote green, environmentally friendly products. The Furniture Company (www.furniture.com) is a manufacturer I have purchased natural mattresses from and I am very happy with their product.
It is also important to remember that electronic devices in the home contain and liberate PBDEs into the air as the devices are heated. It is therefore important to remember to turn off your computer or other electronic device when not in use. Intel, Sony, Apple, Toshiba and other companies are now offering PBDE-reduced or PBDE-free devices; Volvo has also taken the lead in the reduction of PBDEs contained in the manufacture of automobile interiors.
The Doctor is In is an urgent, primary and multi-specialty care practice located in West New York. Physicians are on staff at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center.
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