Flame retardant regulations are effective

Study suggests that regulation has been effective in reducing levels of targeted FRs in human breast milk. Analysis of over 200 published studies shows a ‘break point’ in concentrations of two FRs* regulated in Europe in 2004. Comparisons between regions with different regulatory histories confirmed the effectiveness of regulations. Data was insufficient to conclude for two other FRs regulated more recently**. The authors conclude that regulation appears to have a quantifiable effect on reducing targeted FRs in breast milk, but that monitoring needs to continue after regulation is introduced to verify impacts.

* BDE-49 =pentaBDE and BDE-99 = octaBDE.

** HBCDE and BDE-209 = decaBDE.

“Has Regulatory Action Reduced Human Exposure to Flame Retardants?”, V. van der Schyff et al., Environ. Sci. Technol. 2023, 57, 19106−19124 https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.3c02896