| Toxicity of Modern Clothing and what we can do about it |
This is intended to be a
research and collection page.
research and collection page.
Here is a list of abstracts from studies done on Flame retardants (specifically those found in children's sleepwear)
This is the source that I gathered them from:
Entrez Public Med
This is the source that I gathered them from:
Entrez Public Med
| I found 5 abstracts that basically tell me the following: 1. Unless you want dead goldfish, do not put your child's PJ in the fish tank. 2. Flame retardant is found in kid's urine after wearing treated sleepwear. Even when it is well washed. 3. Flame retardant is very hard on kidneys and testicles. 4.It can cause sterility, be carcinogenic and is a mutagen (causes cancer). 5. Rats who eat it get kidney tumors- in 24 hours. |
The flame retardant, tris(2,3-dibromopropyl)phosphate (tris-BP), which is a mutagen and causes
cancer and sterility in animals is absorbed from fabric by people. 2,3-Dibromopropanol, a
metboloite of tris-BP and a mutagen itself, has been found in the urine samples of ten children who
were wearing or who had worn tris-BP-treated sleepwear. Eight of these children were wearing
well-washed sleepwear and the possibility of absorption of tris-BP from well-washed sleepwear
discussed. 2,3-Dibromopropanol was not found in the urines of one child and one adult who had
never worn tris-BP-treated garments.
cancer and sterility in animals is absorbed from fabric by people. 2,3-Dibromopropanol, a
metboloite of tris-BP and a mutagen itself, has been found in the urine samples of ten children who
were wearing or who had worn tris-BP-treated sleepwear. Eight of these children were wearing
well-washed sleepwear and the possibility of absorption of tris-BP from well-washed sleepwear
discussed. 2,3-Dibromopropanol was not found in the urines of one child and one adult who had
never worn tris-BP-treated garments.
Renal and testicular damage following dermal application of the flame retardant tris (2,3-dibromopropyl)
phosphate.
* Osterberg RE,
* Bierbower GW,
* Hehir RM.
Tris(2,3-dibromopropyl) phosphate (TRIS) was the most popular flame retardant chemical used in
children's sleepwear. Acute toxicological data indicated that TRIS was low in toxicity. Since human
exposure to TRIS-treated fabrics could occur for long periods of time, a subchronic study was undertaken
to obtain additional information. The dermal application of TRIS (neat) at a dose of 1 ml/kg (2.27 g/kg) to
the clipped backs of albino rabbits, once each week for 3 months, resulted in testicular atrophy and
chronic interstitial nephritis in males.
phosphate.
* Osterberg RE,
* Bierbower GW,
* Hehir RM.
Tris(2,3-dibromopropyl) phosphate (TRIS) was the most popular flame retardant chemical used in
children's sleepwear. Acute toxicological data indicated that TRIS was low in toxicity. Since human
exposure to TRIS-treated fabrics could occur for long periods of time, a subchronic study was undertaken
to obtain additional information. The dermal application of TRIS (neat) at a dose of 1 ml/kg (2.27 g/kg) to
the clipped backs of albino rabbits, once each week for 3 months, resulted in testicular atrophy and
chronic interstitial nephritis in males.
Toxicity to fish of flame retardant fabrics immersed in their water. Part I.
* Maylin GA,
* Henion JD,
* Hicks LJ,
* Leibovitz L,
* Ahrens VD,
* Gilbert M,
* Lisk DJ.
A number of commercial and candidate flame retardants were studied with regard to their toxicity to fish
when released from fabrics immersed in their water. Immersion of laundered or unlaundered flame
retardant 100% polyester or polyester blend fabrics used in children's sleepwear in water containing
goldfish resulted in release of the anticholin-esterase flame retardant TDBPP (tris (2, 3-dibromopropyl)
phosphate) and death of all fish within 24 hours. TDBPP undergoes loss of HBr in water and production
of a metabolite.
* Maylin GA,
* Henion JD,
* Hicks LJ,
* Leibovitz L,
* Ahrens VD,
* Gilbert M,
* Lisk DJ.
A number of commercial and candidate flame retardants were studied with regard to their toxicity to fish
when released from fabrics immersed in their water. Immersion of laundered or unlaundered flame
retardant 100% polyester or polyester blend fabrics used in children's sleepwear in water containing
goldfish resulted in release of the anticholin-esterase flame retardant TDBPP (tris (2, 3-dibromopropyl)
phosphate) and death of all fish within 24 hours. TDBPP undergoes loss of HBr in water and production
of a metabolite.
Another flame retardant, tris-(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl)-phosphate, and its expected metabolites are
mutagens.
* Gold MD,
* Blum A,
* Ames BN.
A flame retardant used in children's sleepwear, tris-(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl)phosphate (Fyrol FR2) is a
mutagen in the Salmonella-mammalian tissue homogenate test after it has been activated by mouse or
rat liver homogenate. The expected enzymatic hydrolysis product, 1,3-dichloro-2-propanol, is similarly a
mutagen after activation by liver homogenate. A proposed metabolite of the flame retardant,
1,3-dichloro-2-propanone, is a potent mutagen in the absence of such activation. A flame retardant with
similar structure, tris-(2,3-dibromopropyl)phosphate (tris-BP), was shown previously to be a mutagen, to
cause sterility in animals, to be a carcinogen, and to be absorbed through human skin. These and other
flame retardants have characteristic nuclear magnetic resonance spectra that can be used to determine
which flame retardant is present in commercially purchased sleepwear. Sleepwear treated with tris-BP,
Fyrol FR2, and other chemical additives was being sold in late 1977.
mutagens.
* Gold MD,
* Blum A,
* Ames BN.
A flame retardant used in children's sleepwear, tris-(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl)phosphate (Fyrol FR2) is a
mutagen in the Salmonella-mammalian tissue homogenate test after it has been activated by mouse or
rat liver homogenate. The expected enzymatic hydrolysis product, 1,3-dichloro-2-propanol, is similarly a
mutagen after activation by liver homogenate. A proposed metabolite of the flame retardant,
1,3-dichloro-2-propanone, is a potent mutagen in the absence of such activation. A flame retardant with
similar structure, tris-(2,3-dibromopropyl)phosphate (tris-BP), was shown previously to be a mutagen, to
cause sterility in animals, to be a carcinogen, and to be absorbed through human skin. These and other
flame retardants have characteristic nuclear magnetic resonance spectra that can be used to determine
which flame retardant is present in commercially purchased sleepwear. Sleepwear treated with tris-BP,
Fyrol FR2, and other chemical additives was being sold in late 1977.
Nephrotoxicity of the flame retardant tris(2,3-dibromopropyl)phosphate.
* Dybing E,
* Soderlund E.
The flame retardant tris(2,3-dibromopropyl)phosphate (Tris-BP) is known to be activated to a potent
mutagen in the Salmonella test system and to induce kidney tumors in long-term feeding studies in mice
and rats. Administration of Tris-BP to rats leads to extensive tubular necrosis at doses of 250 mg/kg i.p.
and higher. The histological lesion is present in most animals 24 h after administration. There is a close
correlation between the increase in kidney weights, the degree of kidney damage and the increase in
plasma urea levels. A continuous increase in kidney weights with respect to time is seen, 7 days after a
dose of 250 mg/kg i.p. the kidney/body weight ratio is 192% of controls. The kidney damage is not
altered by previous phenobarbital-treatment, whereas cobaltous chloride, an inhibitor of cytochrome
P-450, slightly reduces the kidney damage.
* Dybing E,
* Soderlund E.
The flame retardant tris(2,3-dibromopropyl)phosphate (Tris-BP) is known to be activated to a potent
mutagen in the Salmonella test system and to induce kidney tumors in long-term feeding studies in mice
and rats. Administration of Tris-BP to rats leads to extensive tubular necrosis at doses of 250 mg/kg i.p.
and higher. The histological lesion is present in most animals 24 h after administration. There is a close
correlation between the increase in kidney weights, the degree of kidney damage and the increase in
plasma urea levels. A continuous increase in kidney weights with respect to time is seen, 7 days after a
dose of 250 mg/kg i.p. the kidney/body weight ratio is 192% of controls. The kidney damage is not
altered by previous phenobarbital-treatment, whereas cobaltous chloride, an inhibitor of cytochrome
P-450, slightly reduces the kidney damage.
Other Less Documented sources:
I've recently become aware that there is significant controversy about flame retardants in general, and in
infant clothing in particular, that I wanted to pass along. Flame retardants, made with bromine which is a
persistent, bioaccumulative toxin, have been in question health-wise at least since 1999 when a Swedish
study found a 60-fold increase in these chemicals in breast milk from 1972-1997. In the San Francisco
Bay area breast milk is tested at an average of 6-10 times higher than the national average in these
toxins. They are related to PCBs and laboratory studies are showing that they interfere with brain
development, can alter hormone function, and are linked to cancer. Our children are testing positive for
these as well--both from the treated sleepware and from the flame retardants in co! mputers, TVs, building
materials, etc. that are in the environment. They are also showing up in the food chain--fish in particular.
The NYTimes (7/6) had an article on how the EU starting to outlaw flame retardants, especially in
children's sleepware http://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/06/science/earth/06euro.html. The Cancer Action
group in SF is launching a study to test women's breast milk to see if there is a link between this and the
SF area's highest breast cancer rate in the country. (One reason for testing breast milk is that these
toxins accumulate in the fatty tissues of the body.)
I thought I'd pass along because I've tossed out EVERYTHING with flame retardant--crib mattresses,
sleepware, etc. as a result of what I've been uncovering. Great sources of info: buildinggreen.com, a
google on ''breast milk testing san francisco'' was also helpful.
I'm focusing on up to date smoke detectors, escape ladders, fire safety, etc. It seems that by the time a
kid's nightware would catch fire you have a much bigger problem -- I want to prevent fires further upstream
(especially as my 7 month old doesn't smoke in bed...) and eliminate the 100% certain toxic exposure.
nancy
http://parents.berkeley.edu/advice/safety/fireresist.html
I've recently become aware that there is significant controversy about flame retardants in general, and in
infant clothing in particular, that I wanted to pass along. Flame retardants, made with bromine which is a
persistent, bioaccumulative toxin, have been in question health-wise at least since 1999 when a Swedish
study found a 60-fold increase in these chemicals in breast milk from 1972-1997. In the San Francisco
Bay area breast milk is tested at an average of 6-10 times higher than the national average in these
toxins. They are related to PCBs and laboratory studies are showing that they interfere with brain
development, can alter hormone function, and are linked to cancer. Our children are testing positive for
these as well--both from the treated sleepware and from the flame retardants in co! mputers, TVs, building
materials, etc. that are in the environment. They are also showing up in the food chain--fish in particular.
The NYTimes (7/6) had an article on how the EU starting to outlaw flame retardants, especially in
children's sleepware http://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/06/science/earth/06euro.html. The Cancer Action
group in SF is launching a study to test women's breast milk to see if there is a link between this and the
SF area's highest breast cancer rate in the country. (One reason for testing breast milk is that these
toxins accumulate in the fatty tissues of the body.)
I thought I'd pass along because I've tossed out EVERYTHING with flame retardant--crib mattresses,
sleepware, etc. as a result of what I've been uncovering. Great sources of info: buildinggreen.com, a
google on ''breast milk testing san francisco'' was also helpful.
I'm focusing on up to date smoke detectors, escape ladders, fire safety, etc. It seems that by the time a
kid's nightware would catch fire you have a much bigger problem -- I want to prevent fires further upstream
(especially as my 7 month old doesn't smoke in bed...) and eliminate the 100% certain toxic exposure.
nancy
http://parents.berkeley.edu/advice/safety/fireresist.html