EMSL Analytical, a provider of environmental and materials testing products and services to professionals and general consumers, is providing polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) testing solutions to minimize human exposure.
PBDEs are flame retardant chemicals that are utilized in fabrics, foams, plastics and various other materials. They belong to the group of brominated chemicals, which are used as brominated flame retardants (BFRs). The materials are generally used in office furnishing and common household materials. PBDEs have an ability to slow down ignition as well as the rate of fire growth.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has stated that PBDEs are key elements of commercial formulations such as octaBDE, decaBDE and pentaBDE that are used as flame retardants in plastics for small appliances and personal computers; back coatings for upholstery and draperies, plastics for wire insulation, consumer electronics and TV cabinets, and furniture foam.
A study, titled “Exposure to PBDEs in the Office Environment: Evaluating the Relationship Between Dust, Handwipes, and Serum”, provided a better understanding behind the presence of PBDEs in office settings. The research implies that exposure to PBDEs in offices results in PentaBDE body burden.
The EPA has been analyzing PBDEs over the past 10 years and studies have shown that the flame retardant chemicals might cause neurodevelopmental toxicity, thyroid toxicity and liver toxicity.
Joe Frasca, SVP, Marketing at EMSL Analytical, stated that by identifying the presence of PBDEs via environmental testing can prevent unnecessary human exposure to these chemicals.
Source: http://www.emsl.com/