Where It Comes From
- Where it comes from — Added to foam, plastics, and textiles in penta- and octa‑BDE mixtures; U.S. production was phased out, but it remains in older products and the environment [1][2][4].
How You Are Exposed
- How you’re exposed — Breathing or swallowing household/workplace dust; eating fatty fish, meat, and dairy; infants via breast milk and hand‑to‑mouth contact [1][3].
Why It Matters
- Why it matters — Linked to lower IQ/attention in children with prenatal/early‑life exposure; disrupts thyroid hormones; causes liver and reproductive effects in animals; bioaccumulative with long half‑life [1][2].
Who Is at Risk
- Who’s at higher risk — Pregnant people, infants, and young children; workers who handle old foam/electronics; people near waste or recycling sites [1][2].
How to Lower Your Exposure
- Lower your exposure — Wet‑dust and HEPA‑vacuum; wash hands before eating; repair or replace crumbling foam; choose PBDE‑free items; follow fish advisories and trim fat; dispose/recycle electronics and foam safely [1][2][3][4].
References
- [1]ATSDR. ToxFAQs for Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs). 2017.
- [2]ATSDR. Toxicological Profile for Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs). 2017.
- [3]CDC. National Biomonitoring Program: Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs).
- [4]U.S. EPA. Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) Action Plan/phase-out information.