Kids who live in public housing, where those materials are commonplace, have toxin levels in their blood and urine up to 15 times higher than those who aren’t exposed. Researchers warn this is yet another reason driving health disparities between the wealthy and poor: flame retardant chemicals (known as PBDEs) are linked to neurodevelopmental delays, obesity, endocrine and thyroid disruption, cancer and other diseases.
Dr Heather Stapleton of Duke University, who presented here findings at the American Association for the Advancement of Science conference this week, warned that despite attempts to curb these chemicals, they are still pervasive. Few studies have investigated how or whether these chemicals seep into the bloodstreams of children who are exposed to them. There are concerns that these chemicals could affect the developing brain.
The chemicals Dr Stapleton investigates, which all fall under the umbrella term semi-volatile organic compounds, are used in electronic devices, furniture and building materials. Flame retardants, at one point used in most couches, rugs and TVs, have been linked to stunted development of the brain and reproductive system. Phthalates, found in vinyl flooring and carpets, disrupt the way we store fat, fueling obesity.
A study last year showed evidence of flame retardants in farmed fish, despite US and EU restrictions on PDBEs in fish-farming waters. Duke’s Nicholas School of the Environment, together with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Boston University, launched a three-year study of in-home exposures to these chemicals among 203 children from 190 families.
‘Our primary goal was to investigate links between specific products and children’s exposures, and to determine how the exposure happened – was it through breathing, skin contact or inadvertent dust inhalation,’ Dr Stapleton said. The study analyzed samples of indoor air, indoor dust and foam collected from furniture in each of the children’s homes, along with a hand wipe sample, urine and blood from each child.
They then quantified 44 biomarkers of exposure to different chemicals including phthalates, organophosphate esters, brominated flame retardants, parabens, phenols, antibacterial agents and perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Children from homes where the sofa in the main living area contained PBDEs in its foam had a six-fold higher concentration of PBDEs in their blood.
Children in homes that had vinyl flooring in all areas were found to have concentrations of benzyl butyl phthalate metabolite in their urine that were 15 times higher than those in children living with no vinyl flooring. Benzyl butyl phthalate has been linked to respiratory disorders, skin irritations, multiple myeolma and reproductive disorders. haleplushearty.org
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