[All] GREN can lead the way on removing PBDE's

[Louisette Lanteigne]

Hi folks
 
I was trying to figure out why Eagle populations were recovering more slowly in the Great Lakes so I started looking at issues of toxicity and came across alarming data regarding Brominated Flame Retardant otherwise known as PBDEs. It mimics DDT and is toxic even in dust form. If you see the dust on your computer monitors, it's in there. That's the stuff. Currently North American women have the highest levels in their breast milk and levels of exposure doubles every two to five years. More tech toys, more exposure.
 
Computer monitors, hand held computers, circuit boards, cell phones, flat screen monitors, TV's and other electronics, clothing, back packs, furniture etc. You can get baby clothing at Walmart that is covered in it and it's having an impact on bird species as noted in this scientific study:
 
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/newscience/flame-retardants-next-ddt-for-kestrel
 
In birds, the chemical limits calcium absorption creating very thin eggshells and this is why bald eagles were almost wiped away. Chemicals in water go to fish, fish go to birds and birds die off. The Great Lakes Eagles in proximity to the "Tech Capital of Canada"  are key indicator species on the health of the Grand River's water quality. If we don't monitor these birds it may result in the loss of the American Bald Eagles around the Grand River and Lake Erie.
 
Safer chemicals exist but it's up to us, the public to ring the bell and lobby to invest in safer products to protect human health and to keep these birds safe.
 
I got the heads up on this matter at the last GRCA Watershed Forum from guest speaker Dr. Gail Krantzberg, Professor and Director of McMaster Centre for Engineering and Public Policy. It's in the Grand River and the flame retardants convert to DDT when exposed to simple things like Chloride.  Her PDF presentation is on line here. http://www.grandriver.ca/WaterForum/Krantzberg09.pdf
 
In all the data I've come across, the report below is one of the best ones to illustrate the specific concerns regarding Brominated Flame Retardant Dust on Computers. It's an easy to read and entertaining, full of handy charts, comparative analysis regarding the policies of different computer manufacturers etc. It's designed for everyone to actually "get it" regardless of scientific background. 
 
http://www.computertakeback.com/problem/bfr_report_pages1-43.pdf
 
In terms of the National Status on this product, Environment Canada found that PBDEs are toxic to the environment and biological diversity, and recommended that PBDEs be considered 'toxic' as defined by the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) and slated for virtual elimination. 
 
July 1st, 2006, Environment Canada and Health Canada released their final assessment reports for PBDEs. The reports state that more information was required on the population's exposure to PBDEs to determine whether the substances should be considered toxic to human health; however, Health Canada supported Environment Canada's recommendations that PBDEs be phased-out but their final report did not include recommendations for the regulation of PBDE's. This information, and the related reports by Health Canada and Environment Canada can be seen on line here: 
 
http://www.environmentaldefence.ca/toxicnation/whatGovDo/PBDEs.htm?zoom_highlight=flame+retardants
 
I would like to request that GREN take an official position on this matter in an effort to establish regulations for the use or Prohibition of PBDE's and to raise awareness on this matter. I would like to see a subcommittee created so we can produce an official letter and/or report to be shared with Municipal, Provincial and Federal leaders on behalf of GREN. We may wish to have the contents of the correspondence reviewed by staff at Toxic Nations and Environmental Defence so we can collaboratively craft the data to be most effective. As the documents are distributed we can issue a press release on the matter in order to raise public awareness and direct the public to contact their elected officials to have a say on the matter. 
 
It is my hope to have this issue discussed at our next GREN meeting if possible to see if there is support for this.
 
Thanks everybody.
 
Lulu :0)
 
 
 
 
 
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