Where It Comes From
Older foam furniture and mattresses (pentaBDE mixtures), electronics, and building materials that release PBDEs into indoor dust over time [1][3].
How You Are Exposed
Breathing or swallowing household dust; hand-to-mouth contact (especially for toddlers); eating contaminated foods like fatty fish, meat, and dairy; work involving electronics or foam [1][2][3].
Why It Matters
Linked to changes in thyroid hormones and to learning/attention problems in children; animal studies show liver and developmental neurotoxicity; it crosses the placenta and enters breast milk [1][2][4].
Who Is at Risk
Pregnant people, infants and young children, those with older foam furniture, and workers handling electronics, upholstery, or foam [1][2][3].
How to Lower Your Exposure
Replace or cover torn foam, wet-dust and HEPA vacuum, wash hands before eating, choose PBDE-free products, follow local fish advisories, and recycle e-waste safely [1][2][3].
References
- [1]ATSDR. ToxFAQs for Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs). 2017.
- [2]CDC. National Biomonitoring Summary: Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs).
- [3]EPA. Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) – Overview and Action Plan.
- [4]NTP. Monograph on the Systematic Review of PBDEs and Neurodevelopment. 2015.