Science on the Health Risks of BFRs

• Brominated Flame Retardants: Rising Levels of Concern - This June 2005 report from Health Care Without Harm summarizes the latest scientific research on halogenated brominated flame retardants, including their toxicity, persistence, and presence in humans and wildlife.
• Flame Retardants: Alarming Increases in Humans and the Environment
• Health Concerns and Electronics Products - Presented at CleanMed 2004 by Ted Smith, Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, Computer TakeBack Campaign
• Health Care Without Harm Tells Manufacturers: Adopt Principles in Support of Safer Chemicals. July 17, 2012 HCWH Press Release
• Tribune Watchdog: Playing with Fire. May 2012 Chicago Tribune investigative series

Safer Alternatives

• DecaBDE: An Investigation of Non-Halogen Substitutes in Electronic Enclosure and Textile Applications - This April 2005 report by the Lowell Center for Sustainable Production examines safer alternatives to decaBDE, a flame retardant used in electronics.
• What Health Care Purchasers Can Do to Reduce Flame Retardants
• Promoting Safer Flame Retardants in Health Care - This presentation provides information about concerns with halogenated flame retardants and the availability of safer alternatives  

Computers and BFRs

• Brominated Flame Retardants in Dust on Computers: The Case for Safer Chemicals and Better Computer Design - In the first nationwide tests for brominated flame retardants in dust swiped from computers, the Computer TakeBack Campaign (CTBC) and Clean Production Action (CPA) found these neurotoxic chemicals on every computer sampled. The highest levels found were a form of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) called deca-BDE, one of the most widely used fire retardant chemicals in the electronics industry.

Links to Other Websites

• Join Practice Greenhealth - Valuable information and resources for more sustainable hospital facilities. Topics include: eliminating mercury use, environmentally preferable purchasing, waste reduction, and green design in building facilities.
• Electronics TakeBack Coalition - The goal of the Electronics TakeBack Coalition (formerly Computer TakeBack Campaign) is to protect the health and well-being of electronic users, workers, and the communities where electronics are produced and discarded by requiring consumer electronics manufacturers and brand owners to take full responsibility for the life cycle of their products, through effective public policy requirements or enforceable agreements.
• Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition - Resources, technical documents, slide presentations, report cards, and directories on computer recycling, sustainable water programs, and international efforts to reduce the impacts of the electronic industry on the environment and public health.
• Basel Action Network (BAN) - The Basel Action Network (BAN) works to prevent the globalization of the toxic waste crisis. BAN works to prevent trade in toxic waste exported from rich to poorer countries, and to promote global environmental justice and a toxics-free world.