Polybrominated+diphenyl+ethers

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers

=__**Structure and formula**__= C12H(10–n)BrnO

=__**What is it? and what is it used for?**__=

Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) is used as a flame retardant and shrinks the chance that something could catch on fire like kids pajamas and computers.

PBDEs are commonly found in computers, Tv sets, cars, and furniture, plastics for TV cabinets, consumer electronics, wire insulation, back coatings for draperies.

=__**Health concerns**__= Some helath concerns of pbde are that they can cause liver toxicity, thyroid toxicity, and neurodevelopmental toxicity

=__**What is being done to eliminate it**__= in 2003 the state of maine department for environmental protection stated that all PBDEs should be banned. In april of 2007 Washington passed a bill that banned the use of PBDEs in may of 2007 the legislature for the stateof maine passed a bill phasing out the use of DecaBDE. These steps were followed by the European union bannying PBDEs.

=__**What can I do to avoid it?**__=


 * Remove shoes when entering the house to avoid tracking in unwanted chemicals.
 * Use wet cleaning methods over dry dusting or vacuuming when possible to avoid distributing dust into the air.
 * Wash your hands especially before eating and cooking
 * Dont buy flame retardant childrens clothes
 * Repair or replace exposed foam in furniture
 * When purchasing new furnishings and bedding, choose wool or cotton fill over polyester and foam products.
 * Eat more fruits and veggies and less animal fats
 * Never burn plastic