BSEF makes a statement about the flame retardants

This recently published study claims that, in a laboratory setting, some bacteria in the soil can transform Deca-BDE, a commonly used retardant compound, into lower forms of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) that could be harmful to humans. BSEF believes that this study confirms existing research showing that Deca-BDE can degrade anaerobically, but that such degradation does not produce the lower BDE congeners that are being found in the environment. Moreover, the conditions used in the recent study are not environmentally relevant and, therefore, no conclusions regarding Deca-BDE degradation in the environment should be drawn. Click here to read the full article on BSEF.com.