Experts urge nation's first ban of toxic flame retardant decaBDE         

[March 20, 2007]  CHICAGO -- Over 50 million pounds of the toxic flame retardant decaBDE is added to TVs, mattresses and other products annually in North America. DecaBDE leaches into our air, water, food, wildlife and, most disturbingly, our bodies. As the last of the toxic PBDE family of flame retardants still used in Illinois, decaBDE damages mammals' developing brains and breaks down into even more dangerous toxics already banned by the Illinois Legislature. DecaBDE concentrations in North American women's breast milk are the highest in the world. Through breast milk as well as household dust inhalation, developing children are the most exposed among us to decaBDE.

National experts speak to the health threat of decaBDE and the choice of many companies to adopt safer alternatives.

House Bill 1421 aims to protect children's health by prohibiting the use of this unnecessary toxic chemical in our state. The proposed Illinois legislation would prohibit toxic decaBDE where alternatives available. The bill will be heard Tuesday afternoon in the House Environmental Health Committee.

[Environment Illinois news release]