Archived press release

Chemicals in telephones could scramble your brain

17 August 1998

These chemicals, brominated flame retardants (BFRs), are known to contaminate human blood and breast milk.

The author of the report, Per Eriksson, of the University of Uppsala, has said:

"Are human babies as sensitive as young mice? We do not know, but we cannot ignore the risk"

BFRs are used as flame retardants in printed circuit boards, plastic cases and in some textiles. They persist in the environment, and were recently found to be contaminating the blubber of Sperm Whales living in the remote, deep ocean waters of the Atlantic ocean [2].Some BFRs have also been shown to be able to disrupt the hormone system. The new research shows that very low doses of one BFR, polybrominated diphenylether (PBDE),given to baby mice, led to irreparable brain damage, causing reduced learning capacity and hyperactive behaviour.

The Government recently published a consultation paper on the sustainable use of chemicals [3], which Friends of the Earth (FOE) believes is biased towards the chemical industry, with public health relegated to a poor second place. FOE is calling for the Government to protect public health by phasing out BFRs and any other chemicals which persist in our bodies or in the environment.

Dr Michael Warhurst, Toxics Campaigner at Friends of the Earth said:

"This disturbing research suggests that these common chemicals could be damaging the development of our children's minds. Brominated flame retardants contaminate our bodies and the most remote natural environments. The Government must act urgently to stop the use of these chemicals. Even then

they will continue to be in our bodies and the environment for many years. The chemical industry knew very well that these chemicals would be persistent, yet cynically carried on using them, even though safer alternatives are available. It is time that the industry faced up to its responsibilities and acted to protect human health and the environment."

[1] The paper is to be presented at Dioxin'98, a major international conference on environmental pollutants,organised by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, and taking place in Stockholm next week. They will be holding a press conference at 12 noon (11.00 BST) on Monday 17th August. An extensive press release will be submitted to the conference web page after the press conference, http://www.environ.se/dioxin98. It is expected that the paper on BFRs will be given on Thursday 20th.

Press contacts: Swedish Environmental Protection Agency: Suzanne Kolare, Tel +46 8 698 16 97, mobile 0708-26 16 97, e-mail suzanne.kolare@environ.se; Stockholm university: Agneta Paulsson, +46-8- 16 22 56,e-mail agneta.paulsson@info.su.se

"Persisten[t] organic pollutants: the danger is not over" Swedish Environmental Protection Agency Press Release 12/8/98, at http://www.environ.se/www-eng/epress/p980812.htm. Background on BFRs in "Swedish research spotlights brominated flame retardant risk" ENDS Report 276, January 1998.

[2] "Do flame retardants threaten ocean life?" Nature vol 394, p28-29, 2nd July 1998.

[3] "Sustainable Production and Use of Chemicals", published by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, July 27th 1998. Open for consultation until October 27th, copies available from DETR: 0870 1226 236, quoting title and reference 98EP0058.

For information on Friends of the Earth's sustainable chemicals campaign, visit our web site.

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust