Tools and Resources

• Science on the Health Risks of BFRs
• Safer Alternatives
• Computers and BFRs
• Links

Science on the Health Risks of BFRs

• Report

  Brominated Flame Retardants: Rising Levels of Concern (pdf)

  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.

• Fact Sheet

  Flame Retardants: Alarming Increases in Humans and the Environment (pdf)

• PowerPoint Presentation

  Health Concerns and Electronics Products (ppt 3MB)
  Presented at CleanMed 2004 by Ted Smith, Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition/Computer TakeBack Campaign

• Press Releases

  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

• Report

  DecaBDE: An Investigation of Non-Halogen Substitutes in Electronic Enclosure and Textile Applications (pdf)

  This April 2005 report by the Lowell Center for Sustainable Production examines safer alternatives to decaBDE, a flame retardant used in electronics.

• Fact Sheet

  What Health Care Purchasers Can Do to Reduce Flame Retardants (pdf)

• Webinar

  Provides information about concerns with halogenated flame retardants and the availability of safer alternatives

  Webinar presentation (pdf)
  Webinar audio recording (mp3 9MB)

Computers and BFRs

• Report

  Brominated Flame Retardants in Dust on Computers: The Case for Safer Chemicals and Better Computer Design (pdf)

  In the first nationwide tests for brominated flame retardants in dust swiped from computers, the Computer Take-Back 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 'greener' 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.