Testimony Archive

Position:

Maryland PIRG (Public Interest Research Group) supports the passage of SB184, which will phase out the use of decabrominated diphenyl ether (Deca-BDE). 

Key Terms:

BFR = Brominated Flame Retardant

PBDE = Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether

A.     PBDEs are a type of BFR

B.     There are 3 commercial types of PBDEs – Octa-BDE, Penta-BDE, Deca-BDE

C.     Maryland passed a law banning Octa-BDE and Penta-BDE in 2005

Deca-BDE = Decabrominated Diphenyl Ether

A.     The only major remaining commercial PBDE used in the U.S. as of 2005

Comments:

Deca-BDE is a type of brominated flame retardant (BFR) that is added to a variety of products, including computers, televisions, mattresses, and couches.  Deca-BDE does not bind well to products, and consequently it gets into air and dust.  We then breathe in the chemical, and it accumulates in our bodies.  In the U.S., where Deca-BDE is the most widely used, Americans have the highest concentrations of Deca-BDE of any other country’s population.  Additionally, children in the U.S. have almost three times the concentration of Deca-BDE as his/her parents. 

In animal testing, PBDEs cause problems with learning and memory, produce hyperactivity, affect metabolism, disrupt reproductive organs, and cause cancer.  Research suggests that infants and young children are most vulnerable to the side effects of PBDE exposure.  Since American children have such high concentrations of Deca-BDE, they could be facing very serious health risks.    

It is critical to note that in 2005 Maryland overwhelmingly voted to pass legislation to phase out the use of Octa-BDE and Penta-BDE in consumer products.  Recent research has found that Deca-BDE can break down over time into Penta-BDE and Octa-BDE.  This finding demonstrates that Deca-BDE actually becomes the two other forms of PBDEs that are already banned in the state of Maryland. 

Washington, Maine, and the European Union have all acted to phase out the use of Deca-BDE.  Using a variety of safe and feasible alternatives, their products meet the same flammability standards as before.  Additionally, companies such as Hewlett Packard, Dell, Apple, and Ikea have all voluntarily stopped using Deca-BDE and have either switched to safer substitutes or have implemented design changes that negate the need for flame retardants.

In conclusion, we should remain consistent with our 2005 law that banned Penta-BDE and Octa-BDE by passing SB184.  On February 26th, 2009, the House of Delegates passed the cross-filed bill, HB14, by a vote of 122-12.  Maryland has an opportunity to take the lead with Maine and Washington and put children’s health first.