Study Reveals Link Between Common Flame Retardants and Cancer-Related Deaths
A recent study has uncovered a connection between commonly used flame retardants in everyday products and cancer-related deaths in people, marking a significant discovery in the field of health research.
Flame retardants that have been added to thousands of consumer products in the United States for many years may increase the risk of dying from cancer, according to a recent study.
The research discovered that individuals with the highest levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in their blood were about 300% more likely to die from cancer compared to those with the lowest levels.
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The authors stated that this is the first study to investigate the link between PBDE exposure and cause-specific mortality risk in the general adult population in the US.
The new study looked at the levels of these chemical compounds in the blood of 1,100 individuals from the US between 2003 and 2004. These participants were part of a long-term federal research project called the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which focuses on the health of Americans.
Researchers then compared PBDE levels with death certificates between 15 and 17 years later. The study, published in the journal JAMA Network Open, revealed a significant association between PBDEs and deaths from all cancers. However, specific types of cancers could not be determined from the available data.
According to Dr. Leonardo Trasande, a professor at NYU Langone Health, past research has shown a connection between different types of flame retardants and the risk of cancer. The recent study's discovery of a link between PBDEs and cancer mortality is a significant advancement in scientific knowledge. Dr. Trasande, who was not part of the study, highlighted the importance of this finding.
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New research has discovered that wildfires can release cancer-causing chemicals from the soil. According to Trasande, a researcher who studies the effects of plastics and flame retardants on children, a study has connected PBDEs to cancer-related deaths. This finding strengthens the argument that flame retardants may be linked to an increased risk of cancer.
He mentioned that these chemicals, known as PBDEs, have long half-lives and can remain in the human body for years. This means that their impact on health will persist since they cannot be removed from the environment quickly.
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers, also known as PDBEs, are chemical compounds that have been identified as endocrine disruptors. This means that they can interfere with the hormones in our body, leading to various health issues. Studies have shown that exposure to PDBEs is linked to problems such as poor blood sugar metabolism, gestational diabetes, obesity, thyroid disease, certain cancers, reproductive issues, and neurodevelopmental disorders.
Exposure to PDBEs is quite common, as tests have revealed that most people in the United States have these endocrine disruptors in their blood. In fact, the levels of PDBEs found in the blood of Americans are about three to 10 times higher than those found in individuals from European countries, as reported by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Woman bathing and washing her hair relaxed.
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Previous studies have shown that flame retardant chemicals can be passed to developing fetuses through the placenta and to newborns through breast milk.
Exposure to PBDEs can occur through various sources such as household dust, food, and consumer products.
Manufacturers use flame retardants in a variety of products like sofas, chairs, car upholstery, and toys, as well as electronics and kitchen appliances, to reduce the risk of fire. They are also found in items like carpet padding, yoga mats, and baby products.
In 2004, two types of PBDEs were voluntarily removed from the US market. However, the flame retardant DecaBDE, linked to cancer, was not regulated by the US Environmental Protection Agency until January 2021. It is commonly used in textiles, electronics, building materials, and imported items like automotive parts.
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Recent study reveals that bottled water contains nanoplastics. According to Trasande, the industry has started using phosphorus-based flame retardants as replacements for certain chemicals. However, researchers are worried that these new chemicals might also be associated with cancer.
Many older chemicals, like PBDE, can still be found in vintage items such as the foam in old sofas and carpet padding. One main way these chemicals get into our environment is through contamination - flame retardants have seeped out of landfills for years, polluting the air, soil, groundwater, rivers, and streams.
Exposure to these chemicals happens through contaminated household dust, consumer products, and residues in food. Foods with high-fat content, like fatty fish, can especially contain these chemicals, as noted by the CDC.
Once PBDEs are released into the environment, they start to build up in the fat of animals. When one animal consumes another, the levels of these chemicals become more concentrated. Since humans are at the top of the food chain, they end up with some of the highest levels of PBDEs.
According to Trasande, these flame retardants linger in our bodies because we live in a society where products containing these chemicals were used many years ago. As a result, PBDEs are still present and detectable in all of us in the US.
People who work in enclosed spaces where PBDE-containing products are manufactured, repaired or recycled may have some of the highest risk, according to the CDC.
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Despite a 75% decrease in PBDE levels in fish over the last two decades, the decline has now slowed. Researchers discovered these chemicals in 93% of all fish tested, with certain locations even showing an increase, according to a study conducted in March. In the US, the average levels found in fish are thousands of times higher than the environmental quality standards established by the European Parliament.
In a study conducted in June 2017, researchers found that infants had higher levels of PBDEs almost ten years after they were phased out in 2004. Tasha Stoiber, a senior scientist at the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a nonprofit organization focusing on health and environmental issues, shared this information.
According to Stoiber, some infants had even higher levels of PBDEs than their mothers. This shows that exposure to legacy chemicals does not disappear immediately after they are phased out or banned.
To protect your family, it is important to be aware that some manufacturers may still include flame retardants in certain padded items like nursing pillows, changing-table pads, crib mattresses, and nap and exercise mats. Always check the flammability labels on these products to ensure they do not contain harmful chemicals, as recommended by the EWG.
“It is difficult to buy a flame retardant-free car seat and impossible to avoid these chemicals in automobile seating,” the group states in a tip sheet.
Use a high-efficiency HEPA filter when vacuuming, experts say.
Use a high-efficiency HEPA filter when vacuuming, experts say.
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Make sure to keep all infant car seats, foam mattress pads, and furniture cushions covered in protective fabric that does not contain flame retardants. This will prevent any chemicals from being released quickly if the foam becomes exposed or torn.
When refurbishing old couches or chairs, remember to replace the old foam with flame retardant-free foam. The padding under carpets is often made of chemically treated scrap foam, so if you are doing the work yourself, be sure to wear a mask and clean up carefully as recommended by EWG.
Wet mop and vacuum often, especially if there is a child in the home. Use a vacuum with a high-efficiency HEPA filter, which can trap dust and chemicals.
Editor's P/S:
The recent study linking polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) to an increased risk of cancer mortality is a concerning revelation that highlights the potential health hazards posed by these flame retardants. The fact that individuals with the highest levels of PBDEs in their blood were about 300% more likely to die from cancer is alarming and warrants further investigation. The long half-lives of PBDEs, which means they can remain in the human body for years, raises concerns about their long-term impact on health.
It is important to note that exposure to PBDEs can occur through various sources, including household dust, food, and consumer products. The use of flame retardants in sofas, chairs, car upholstery, and toys, as well as electronics and kitchen appliances, increases the risk of exposure. While some types of PBDEs have been voluntarily removed from the market or regulated, others, like DecaBDE, are still in use. The industry's shift to phosphorus-based flame retardants as replacements for certain chemicals raises concerns about their potential health effects as well.
