NEWS: Are You Fire Retardant? If You're American, then Yes, You Probably Are.

CULTURE: Are You Fire Retardant? If You're American, then Yes, You Probably Are.

You know what's retarded? The fact that the EPA doesn't require labeling on products--like matresses and couches--that contain dangerous PBDEs. PBDEs, or polybrominated diphenyl ethers, are flame retardant chemicles that are added to upholstery, computer parts, mattresses, fax machines, carpets, car seats and house wiring. Apparently, Americans' bodies have the world's highest concentration of PBDEs--10 to 40 times higher than Europeans--and it's doubling every three to five years.

Even though the chemical has been ubiquitously used for the past three decades, and even though animal testing has pointed to grievous dangers, the EPA likes to claim that there's not enough evidence, that the effects are unknown, and that the levels humans are exposed to are too low to matter.

There are three main types of PBDEs: penta-, octa- and deca. It's been widely agreed that the first two are dangerous, and the European Union, Canada, and a few U.S. states have banned them. That's great, but some recycled materials, not to mention items produced before the phase-out, can still contain up to 30 percent penta or octa. Not only that, but since the 2004 E.U. ban, foreign sources have been dumping "significant amounts" of octa- and penta-laden products in the United States. And, to add insult to injury, the U.S. still manufactures deca-BDE.

What does the "P" in EPA stand for? They say "Protection." I say "Pollution." The EPA fights pressure to label foods containing GMOs, fights pressure to label products containing toxic PBDEs, and has a history of having fought trans fat labeling for decades.

Of all places, shouldn't America be a country where citizens have access to information, so that they can make informed choices?

Informed decisions often require an individual to desire to be informed. Whos to blame for apathy?

AAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA
"......Government Accountability Office...."
AAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Unsurprising, and yet... yikes.

In other news, is it totally sad that I know what book cover the title picture is from?

EVERYTHING WILL GIVE YOU CANCER news at 11!

I hate this kind of scare tactic journalism, and anybody that is actually freaked out by this is an utter rube.

That reminds me of that old George Carlin bit:

"Scientists have found that saliva causes throat cancer..but only if swallowed in small doses over long periods of time"

stephen king's firestarter, adapted for the screen and starring drew barrymore?

Is it totally sad that the title picture reminded me of a dead baby joke?

Is it totally sad that it makes me think of Drew Barrymore and Tangerine Dream?

You ever wonder why everything causes cancer? It's because it's legal to put known carcinogens in everything. Here's one from ten days ago.

But on the plus side, it's good to know I'm flame retardant.

The book was much better than the movie, in my opinion. But they often are.

I'm actualy flame retarded.

Scared? No. Annoyed that we have all these unavoidable chemicals in our lives? Yes.

I mean, I do belive more people getting cancer is a little annoying, especially when you get it. I know three people formally healthy people (with no links to each other) in their early twenties who have gotten cancer, including my 20 year old sister. Not to mention people suddenly developing deadly allergies and the like.

I'm not knowledgable enough to know if it's because of something like this article describes, and I'll be sleeping soundly on my bed tonight with no fear, but I would rather not have the chemical described above anywhere near me if I can help it.

I got people I want to try this flame retardation out on......I'll get back to you on the results.

God no... that gives me hope

And of course, the book is always better!

Of course, you are right... let's all shut-up and stop trying to learn about possibly important things and go stick our heads in the sand.

Wow and I thought that Americans were Accountability retardant

No, but between this and the High Fidelity riff you did recently, you've been getting me really turned on in the brain lately.

Keep up the good work!

what doesn't kill you makes you....fireproof? Anyway am I the only one that thought of Mitch Hedberg's "fire exit" joke when reading the title of this article?

+1

I am looking forward to my new life as a member of the fantastic four.

Lets all just run around in bubble wrap and have our own personal doctors at our hands and feet.

I used to provide tech support at the EPA in San Francisco.... the most paranoid bunch of ex-hippies I'd ever met.

I can't remember how many times I was "detained" on the 11th floor (legal) for not having my badge on me.

YOU COULD BE SPYING ON US they'd say.



Protecting their agency, and their funding. That's ALL that they were about.

I imagine the flame retardant over-exposure could save us in these forums.

When I first saw the title of this thread, I honestly thought it was: Are you fire retarded?

I was expecting to be admonished for leaving campfires lit in the forest by a person dressed as a bear.

Instead, it is yet another article that is telling me the EPA sucks balls. It is really bothersome. It seems to me that the EPA is guilty of all kinds of bullshit like this.

What if anything should we be doing in an effort to make the EPA start behaving? (question to everyone)