Chemicals that prevent your house, sofa, and clothes from bursting into flames are ending up in coastal waters all around the United States, and could be damaging the health of both sea creatures and the humans who consume those animals, according to a new study from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Says the NOAA's John Dunnigan:
"This is a wake-up call for Americans concerned about the health of our coastal waters and their personal health.... Scientific evidence strongly documents that these contaminants impact the food web and action is needed to reduce the threats posed to aquatic resources and human health" [The Oregonian].
Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) are a class of flame retardant chemicals that have been widely used in consumer products since the 1970s.
The chemicals are credited with saving hundreds of lives each year from the spread of fire, federal scientists said.... But studies on animals ...
