Are we bromine toxic?

A few bromide/bromine snippets...

http://www.momsrising.org/blog/killer-couches-usa/


Since the 1970s, PBDEs (brominated fire retardants) have increased 40-fold in human breast milk. PBDEs have the potential to disrupt thyroid hormone balance and contribute to a variety of neurological and developmental deficits, including low intelligence and learning disabilities. Women in North America have, on average, ten times to forty times the levels PBDEs in their breast milk as do women in Europe or Asia.


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1069057/


PBDEs have been found in human blood, serum, adipose tissue, breast milk, placental tissue and in the brain. Contrary to octa- and deca-congeners, tri- to hexa-BDEs have a very high affinity for fat. They are resistant to metabolism and can bioaccumulate in adipose tissues from before birth until death.

Human uptake is thought to be through inhalation, dermal absorption and consumption of contaminated food. The primary source of exposure to humans is believed to be consumption of contaminated fish, poultry, meat and dairy products. Occupational exposures may occur in computer and electronic warehouses, and formulation facilities. Dismantling and grinding polymer parts may increase the PBDE concentration in the air.

The neurodevelopmental toxicology of PBDEs appears to involve changes in the cholinergic system and may also be related to altered thyroid homeostasis. It is generally accepted that brain development is highly dependent on the thyroid hormone.

Hydroxy-PBDE congeners have structural similarities with the thyroid hormones 3,5-diiodothyronine (T2), 3,3,5-triiodothyronine (T3) and 3,3,5,5-tetraiodothyronine (thyroxine, T4). They have been reported to bind human alpha- and beta-thyroid hormone receptors.72 PCBs and PBDEs both alter thyroid hormone balance by disrupting brain development.73–75 PBDEs also bind to cytosolic aryl hydrocarbon receptors, thyroid hormone receptors, and serum thyroid hormone binding proteins (i.e., transthyretin). Specific congeners may decrease, increase, or mimic the biological action of thyroid hormones owing to structural similarities to these compounds.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1069057/


As for detection of bromines in furniture, a lab capable of gas chromatography mass spectrometry is necessary to help.


http://www.healthystuff.org/departments/toys/chemicals.bromine.php


Health Effects:

PBDEs are persistent toxic chemicals that build up in people and wildlife and contaminate breastmilk and umbilical cord blood.
Depending on the form and level of exposure:
• Studies in laboratory animals have found that PBDEs profoundly and permanently affect the developing brain at levels close to those in today's most highly exposed women (Ericksson, 2001).
• PBDE exposure may affect thyroid hormone, which is essential for proper brain development in the fetus (Zhou 2002).
• PBDEs may also cause reproductive problems and birth defects (McDonald 2005, Darnerud 2003).
• DecaBDE, the most widely used form of PBDE, is classified as a "possible human carcinogen" by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (ATSDR 2004).
• A 2005 study compared levels in people with those that cause toxic effects in laboratory studies, and found that approximately five percent of American women have levels that already exceed those that cause reproductive problems in laboratory animals (McDonald, 2005).

Current Regulations for Products

• U.S. chemical manufacturers have ceased the production of two forms of PBDEs, penta and octa, but have not stopped making deca.
• Deca has traditionally been used primarily in casings for televisions and electronics.
• The toy industry has not established a voluntary migration standard for the amount of elemental bromine that can migrate from toys.
• Four states (Washington, Maine, Oregon, and Vermont) have passed laws to phase out deca-BDE in products sold in the respective states.
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