Flame Retardant

Chemicals and

Thyroid Disorders

What are flame retardants?

What are they?

• Used to stop or inhibit the spread of fire• Minerals (red phosphorous)• Organohalogens (chlorendic acid)• Organophosphorous (bisphenol A)• Are usually mixed with or added to

additive or reactive flame reatardants (A base).

• Multiple classes are sometimes mixed

Do they really work?

Do they really work?

• Some people say that flame retardants are ineffective.

• Flame retardants are only required to show that it can stop fire after 12 seconds of burning. Should more be required?

• 64% of flame retardants do not have to be labeled when used in products.

What’s more important? Saving your belongings or your life?

What contains Flame retardant chemicals?

Brominated vegetable oil (BVO))

Bisphenol A

How do they affect the thyroid?

How do they affect the thyroid?

• Flame retardant chemicals cause hormone inbalances in the body.

• Hypothyroidism is due to the body not producing enough thyroid hormone.

Prenatal Study

• They can disrupt the amount of thyroid hormone being produced for babies in the womb.

• The babies neurodevelopment can be affected by the mother not getting enough thyroid hormone.

• The baby can also be born with an underactive thyroid.

Hypotthyroidism affects

Hypothyroidism Affects

• Goiter• Depression and fatigue• Excessive Weight Gain• Memory loss

Flame test

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsUX1-_tOlg

Prevention

• Use products without flame retardants• Wash hands frequently• Use a vacuum with HEPA filter• Replace or repair exposed foam