EA investigations suggest, since PBDEs were banned in the '90s levels in the environment have fallen, suggesting bans do work.
However, @wclnews.bsky.social highlights there are health concerns around some replacements for PBDEs.
consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/environment-...
However, @wclnews.bsky.social highlights there are health concerns around some replacements for PBDEs.
consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/environment-...
consult.environment-agency.gov.uk
June 18, 2026 at 12:36 PM
EA investigations suggest, since PBDEs were banned in the '90s levels in the environment have fallen, suggesting bans do work.
However, @wclnews.bsky.social highlights there are health concerns around some replacements for PBDEs.
consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/environment-...
However, @wclnews.bsky.social highlights there are health concerns around some replacements for PBDEs.
consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/environment-...
While polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) have been banned since the '90s:
'Scientific literature... suggests Organophosphate Ester Flame Retardants, that were hailed as viable alternatives to PBDEs (Polybrominated diphenyl ethers) are equally harmful.'
www.wcl.org.uk/dangerous-fl...
'Scientific literature... suggests Organophosphate Ester Flame Retardants, that were hailed as viable alternatives to PBDEs (Polybrominated diphenyl ethers) are equally harmful.'
www.wcl.org.uk/dangerous-fl...
Dangerous flame retardant chemicals found in most English rivers and all wildlife tested
Hazardous and persistent chemical flame retardants have been found most English rivers, and at unsafe levels in all wildlife samples analysed, according to new analysis of Environment Agency and water...
www.wcl.org.uk
June 18, 2026 at 11:47 AM
While polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) have been banned since the '90s:
'Scientific literature... suggests Organophosphate Ester Flame Retardants, that were hailed as viable alternatives to PBDEs (Polybrominated diphenyl ethers) are equally harmful.'
www.wcl.org.uk/dangerous-fl...
'Scientific literature... suggests Organophosphate Ester Flame Retardants, that were hailed as viable alternatives to PBDEs (Polybrominated diphenyl ethers) are equally harmful.'
www.wcl.org.uk/dangerous-fl...
When we wash items containing PBDEs, these chemicals get into our wastewater systems.
Our sewage treatment systems aren't designed to remove PBDEs, so they enter rivers in treated or raw sewage.
Our sewage treatment systems aren't designed to remove PBDEs, so they enter rivers in treated or raw sewage.
June 18, 2026 at 12:36 PM
When we wash items containing PBDEs, these chemicals get into our wastewater systems.
Our sewage treatment systems aren't designed to remove PBDEs, so they enter rivers in treated or raw sewage.
Our sewage treatment systems aren't designed to remove PBDEs, so they enter rivers in treated or raw sewage.
🌍 Toxic Chemicals in Plastics
A new study shows removing chemicals like BPA, DEHP, and PBDEs from plastics could save lives, IQ points, and $1.5 trillion annually in health costs.
🔗 www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
#SciComm 🧪 #PublicHealth #Plastics
A new study shows removing chemicals like BPA, DEHP, and PBDEs from plastics could save lives, IQ points, and $1.5 trillion annually in health costs.
🔗 www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
#SciComm 🧪 #PublicHealth #Plastics
www.pnas.org
January 8, 2025 at 9:33 PM
🌍 Toxic Chemicals in Plastics
A new study shows removing chemicals like BPA, DEHP, and PBDEs from plastics could save lives, IQ points, and $1.5 trillion annually in health costs.
🔗 www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
#SciComm 🧪 #PublicHealth #Plastics
A new study shows removing chemicals like BPA, DEHP, and PBDEs from plastics could save lives, IQ points, and $1.5 trillion annually in health costs.
🔗 www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
#SciComm 🧪 #PublicHealth #Plastics
7) People with the highest blood levels of PBDEs, a class of flame retardants found in black plastic, had about a 300 percent increase in their risk of dying from cancer compared with people who had the lowest levels, according to a study released this year.
November 22, 2024 at 4:22 AM
7) People with the highest blood levels of PBDEs, a class of flame retardants found in black plastic, had about a 300 percent increase in their risk of dying from cancer compared with people who had the lowest levels, according to a study released this year.
Any toxicologists out there? Or anyone studying effects of PFAS, mercury, PBDEs, lead, plastics etc etc etc. Would love to find you! Environmental, ecological, pharmacological and whatever else! #toxic 🧪 #environment #health #ecosystem
November 17, 2024 at 6:06 PM
Any toxicologists out there? Or anyone studying effects of PFAS, mercury, PBDEs, lead, plastics etc etc etc. Would love to find you! Environmental, ecological, pharmacological and whatever else! #toxic 🧪 #environment #health #ecosystem
PBDEs, old-style chemical flame retardants (CFRs), have been linked to developmental, behavioural, reproductive health + neurotoxic effects.
Some are reported to be carcinogenic.
Studies link them to organ, cell + immune effects + increased diabetes risk.
3/8
www.wcl.org.uk/dangerous-fl...
Some are reported to be carcinogenic.
Studies link them to organ, cell + immune effects + increased diabetes risk.
3/8
www.wcl.org.uk/dangerous-fl...
Dangerous flame retardant chemicals found in most English rivers and all wildlife tested
Hazardous and persistent chemical flame retardants have been found most English rivers, and at unsafe levels in all wildlife samples analysed, according to new analysis of Environment Agency and water...
www.wcl.org.uk
July 6, 2026 at 11:34 AM
PBDEs, old-style chemical flame retardants (CFRs), have been linked to developmental, behavioural, reproductive health + neurotoxic effects.
Some are reported to be carcinogenic.
Studies link them to organ, cell + immune effects + increased diabetes risk.
3/8
www.wcl.org.uk/dangerous-fl...
Some are reported to be carcinogenic.
Studies link them to organ, cell + immune effects + increased diabetes risk.
3/8
www.wcl.org.uk/dangerous-fl...
You can check Environment Agency data for your local stream or river using the link below to see if PBDEs are present in it.
Spoiler alert, I've never found a single English water body that didn't contain them:
environment.data.gov.uk/catchment-pl...
Spoiler alert, I've never found a single English water body that didn't contain them:
environment.data.gov.uk/catchment-pl...
June 18, 2026 at 12:36 PM
You can check Environment Agency data for your local stream or river using the link below to see if PBDEs are present in it.
Spoiler alert, I've never found a single English water body that didn't contain them:
environment.data.gov.uk/catchment-pl...
Spoiler alert, I've never found a single English water body that didn't contain them:
environment.data.gov.uk/catchment-pl...
Banned chemicals continue to endanger environmental health in the Middle East and North Africa
phys.org/news/2026-07...
phys.org/news/2026-07...
Banned chemicals continue to endanger environmental health in the Middle East and North Africa
In a study recently published in the journal Environmental Research, scientists from the University of Sharjah have drawn renewed attention to contamination by polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), ...
phys.org
July 14, 2026 at 4:26 AM
Banned chemicals continue to endanger environmental health in the Middle East and North Africa
phys.org/news/2026-07...
phys.org/news/2026-07...
The 1st manuscript from my lab is online! This study, led by 2nd y PhD student Jared Franges (w/ key contributions from grad and 4! UG students), shows that developmental exposure to PBDEs drives persistent impairment of histamine+serotonin release by mast cells www.biorxiv.org/cgi/content/... 1/n
Developmental PBDE exposure impairs histamine release dynamics in adult male and female mice via disrupted granule maturation and calcium mobilization
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are synthetic flame retardants once widely used in furniture, electronics, and other consumer products. Although phased out in the early 2000s, their chemical pe...
www.biorxiv.org
July 4, 2025 at 1:10 PM
The 1st manuscript from my lab is online! This study, led by 2nd y PhD student Jared Franges (w/ key contributions from grad and 4! UG students), shows that developmental exposure to PBDEs drives persistent impairment of histamine+serotonin release by mast cells www.biorxiv.org/cgi/content/... 1/n
Levels of PBDE levels in Americans are generally “10–100 times higher than levels measured in people in Europe and Asia." An April study found people with the highest blood levels of PBDEs were about 300% more likely to die from cancer as people with the lowest levels.
www.cnn.com/2024/12/13/h...
www.cnn.com/2024/12/13/h...
Toxic chemical in black plastic utensils and toys is being allowed to proliferate by EPA, lawsuit alleges | CNN
The US Environmental Protection Agency fails to protect the public from a toxic flame retardant found in black plastic consumer products, a new lawsuit alleges.
www.cnn.com
December 15, 2024 at 9:08 AM
Levels of PBDE levels in Americans are generally “10–100 times higher than levels measured in people in Europe and Asia." An April study found people with the highest blood levels of PBDEs were about 300% more likely to die from cancer as people with the lowest levels.
www.cnn.com/2024/12/13/h...
www.cnn.com/2024/12/13/h...
While data shows PBDEs present in many waterways, @wclnews.bsky.social warn there may be blind spots for CFR pollution as newer CFRs are not tested for in waterways, despite a growing body of research indicating they too may pose health risks.
4/8
www.wcl.org.uk/dangerous-fl...
4/8
www.wcl.org.uk/dangerous-fl...
Dangerous flame retardant chemicals found in most English rivers and all wildlife tested
Hazardous and persistent chemical flame retardants have been found most English rivers, and at unsafe levels in all wildlife samples analysed, according to new analysis of Environment Agency and water...
www.wcl.org.uk
July 6, 2026 at 11:34 AM
While data shows PBDEs present in many waterways, @wclnews.bsky.social warn there may be blind spots for CFR pollution as newer CFRs are not tested for in waterways, despite a growing body of research indicating they too may pose health risks.
4/8
www.wcl.org.uk/dangerous-fl...
4/8
www.wcl.org.uk/dangerous-fl...
Die Beseitigung von #Plastik-Chemikalien wie BPA & DEHP in Ländern, die 1/3 der Weltbevölkerung ausmachen, hätte ~600.000 Leben retten können. Eine Senkung von PBDEs hätte 11,7 Mio IQ Punkte von Kindern retten können, alles mit einem wirtschaftlichen Nutzen von 1,5 Billionen Dollar !
1/2 New study estimates eliminating exposures to chemicals such as BPA & DEHP used in #plastics in countries constituting 1/3 of the world’s population would have saved ~600,000 lives (515,000 fewer deaths (!) ). #PlasticsTreaty
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
January 6, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Die Beseitigung von #Plastik-Chemikalien wie BPA & DEHP in Ländern, die 1/3 der Weltbevölkerung ausmachen, hätte ~600.000 Leben retten können. Eine Senkung von PBDEs hätte 11,7 Mio IQ Punkte von Kindern retten können, alles mit einem wirtschaftlichen Nutzen von 1,5 Billionen Dollar !
These PDBE's are also found in human-made fire retardants & the microbial species harbored by the sponge are the largest source of PDBE in nature.
A crab wearing a sponge that's wearing toxic bacteria!
2017 Paper on PDBE synthesis from sponge microbiome:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28319100/
A crab wearing a sponge that's wearing toxic bacteria!
2017 Paper on PDBE synthesis from sponge microbiome:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28319100/
Metagenomic discovery of polybrominated diphenyl ether biosynthesis by marine sponges - PubMed
Naturally produced polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) pervade the marine environment and structurally resemble toxic man-made brominated flame retardants. PBDEs bioaccumulate in marine animals and...
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
August 10, 2023 at 12:16 PM
These PDBE's are also found in human-made fire retardants & the microbial species harbored by the sponge are the largest source of PDBE in nature.
A crab wearing a sponge that's wearing toxic bacteria!
2017 Paper on PDBE synthesis from sponge microbiome:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28319100/
A crab wearing a sponge that's wearing toxic bacteria!
2017 Paper on PDBE synthesis from sponge microbiome:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28319100/
A study tallies up the cost in strokes, heart disease diagnoses, deaths, and lost IQ points due to toxic chemicals in plastics, including BPA, DEHP, and PBDEs. Thankfully, exposure to these chemicals has declined since the early 2000s. In PNAS: www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
December 19, 2024 at 9:58 PM
A study tallies up the cost in strokes, heart disease diagnoses, deaths, and lost IQ points due to toxic chemicals in plastics, including BPA, DEHP, and PBDEs. Thankfully, exposure to these chemicals has declined since the early 2000s. In PNAS: www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Very good new study on toxic POPs in children's toys. @toxicsfree.bsky.social @fakinkilljoy.bsky.social @arnikaorg.bsky.social @petemyers.bsky.social
Intersecting circular economy and child health: A scoping review of legacy brominated flame retardants in plastic childcare products and toys
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) are persistent organic pollutants (POPs) banned under the Stockholm Conventi…
www.sciencedirect.com
March 27, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Very good new study on toxic POPs in children's toys. @toxicsfree.bsky.social @fakinkilljoy.bsky.social @arnikaorg.bsky.social @petemyers.bsky.social
Happy to share that the first data paper from my lab is out! We find that developmental exposure to PBDE flame retardants drives persistent and sex specific effects on mast cells in and ex vivo www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Developmental PBDE exposure persistently impairs mast cell function in vivo and drives sex-specific morphological and transcriptional changes in bone marrow–derived mast cells
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are synthetic flame retardants once widely used in furniture, electronics, and other consumer products. Althoug…
www.sciencedirect.com
October 31, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Happy to share that the first data paper from my lab is out! We find that developmental exposure to PBDE flame retardants drives persistent and sex specific effects on mast cells in and ex vivo www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Remember, lots of dioxins, PCBs, PBDEs, PCDFs, and other neurotoxins and endocrine disruptors in Wisconsin waters and fish. Ron's Johnson ate lots of those fish apparently.
June 18, 2026 at 1:21 AM
Remember, lots of dioxins, PCBs, PBDEs, PCDFs, and other neurotoxins and endocrine disruptors in Wisconsin waters and fish. Ron's Johnson ate lots of those fish apparently.
PBDEs and PCBs were detected in human milk samples and infant formulas in Serbia. www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Polychlorinated biphenyls and polybrominated diphenyl ethers in infant food: Occurrence and exposure assessment
The objective of this study was to analyze the concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in infant…
www.sciencedirect.com
December 28, 2024 at 1:42 PM
PBDEs and PCBs were detected in human milk samples and infant formulas in Serbia. www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
You do not need to hand it to RFK Jr over this because even if - IF - there’s a correlation between autism and exposure to substances like PBDEs and some other flame retardants, the Trump admin encourages corporations to blatantly pollute
US Health Secretary RFK Jr claims autism is a "preventable disease."
"We know it's an environmental exposure. Genes do not cause epidemics... You need an environmental toxin."
Autism has a strong genetic component.
Autism is not a "disease".
Autism is not an "epidemic".
RFK Jr is not a scientist.
"We know it's an environmental exposure. Genes do not cause epidemics... You need an environmental toxin."
Autism has a strong genetic component.
Autism is not a "disease".
Autism is not an "epidemic".
RFK Jr is not a scientist.
April 16, 2025 at 4:42 PM
You do not need to hand it to RFK Jr over this because even if - IF - there’s a correlation between autism and exposure to substances like PBDEs and some other flame retardants, the Trump admin encourages corporations to blatantly pollute
#health #publichealth #ecology
Women's incidence rates of
hypothyroidism
are increasing.
Thyroid hormones T3 and T4 are depleted by
mixtures of environmental pollutants, such as
fluoride,
pesticides and their metabolites (tebuconazole, fipronil sulfone),
and persistent pollutants (PCBs, PBDEs).
.
Women's incidence rates of
hypothyroidism
are increasing.
Thyroid hormones T3 and T4 are depleted by
mixtures of environmental pollutants, such as
fluoride,
pesticides and their metabolites (tebuconazole, fipronil sulfone),
and persistent pollutants (PCBs, PBDEs).
.
January 20, 2026 at 9:21 AM
#health #publichealth #ecology
Women's incidence rates of
hypothyroidism
are increasing.
Thyroid hormones T3 and T4 are depleted by
mixtures of environmental pollutants, such as
fluoride,
pesticides and their metabolites (tebuconazole, fipronil sulfone),
and persistent pollutants (PCBs, PBDEs).
.
Women's incidence rates of
hypothyroidism
are increasing.
Thyroid hormones T3 and T4 are depleted by
mixtures of environmental pollutants, such as
fluoride,
pesticides and their metabolites (tebuconazole, fipronil sulfone),
and persistent pollutants (PCBs, PBDEs).
.
Your reply is a bit condescending. Is the "best science" you refer to the epa evaluation? I assume you're also a fan of Chevron's new plastic based fuels?
efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.2903/...
efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.2903/...
Update of the risk assessment of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in food
The European Commission asked EFSA to update its 2011 risk assessment on polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in food, focusing on 10 congeners: BDE-28, -47, -49, -99, -100, -138, -153, -154, -183 ...
efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
April 14, 2025 at 12:50 AM
Your reply is a bit condescending. Is the "best science" you refer to the epa evaluation? I assume you're also a fan of Chevron's new plastic based fuels?
efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.2903/...
efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.2903/...
2/2 Reducing PBDEs to 2015 threshold levels for women giving birth in countries respresenting 20% of global births would have saved ~11.7 MILLION IQ points.
The economic benefit in 2015 of reductions in exposures to these chemicals is $1.5 TRILLION 2015 purchasing power parity Dollars.
The economic benefit in 2015 of reductions in exposures to these chemicals is $1.5 TRILLION 2015 purchasing power parity Dollars.
January 6, 2025 at 9:11 AM
2/2 Reducing PBDEs to 2015 threshold levels for women giving birth in countries respresenting 20% of global births would have saved ~11.7 MILLION IQ points.
The economic benefit in 2015 of reductions in exposures to these chemicals is $1.5 TRILLION 2015 purchasing power parity Dollars.
The economic benefit in 2015 of reductions in exposures to these chemicals is $1.5 TRILLION 2015 purchasing power parity Dollars.
lost IQ points due to toxic chemicals in plastics, including BPA, DEHP, and PBDEs.
The benefits of removing toxic chemicals from plastics
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
#MakePollutersPay #StopPlastic #Design #Science #GIE
The benefits of removing toxic chemicals from plastics
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
#MakePollutersPay #StopPlastic #Design #Science #GIE
www.pnas.org
December 19, 2024 at 11:04 PM
lost IQ points due to toxic chemicals in plastics, including BPA, DEHP, and PBDEs.
The benefits of removing toxic chemicals from plastics
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
#MakePollutersPay #StopPlastic #Design #Science #GIE
The benefits of removing toxic chemicals from plastics
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
#MakePollutersPay #StopPlastic #Design #Science #GIE