Toronto – The Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA) is crying foul
over attempts by the bromine chemical industry to boost sales of toxic fire
retardant chemicals under the guise of international “standard-setting” for
fire safety. Joining an international outcry of over 200 concerned experts,
organizations and individuals, CELA has endorsed The Case Against Candle
Resistant Electronics. At issue is an International Electrotechnical Commission
(IEC) standard to be voted on April 25, 2008 by representatives of 14
participating countries, including Canada.
The IEC standard would require that the
external plastic casings of all electronics (e.g., computers, televisions,
phones, scanners, calculators, video cameras, CD players, etc.) be resistant to
ignition from a candle flame and that they should therefore contain brominated
flame retardants for “safety reasons.”
Evidence shows that very few fires begin
this way and that existing standards for fire safety are effective and
sufficient. The proposed standard is not necessary and certainly not benign.
Many studies have shown that brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are released
from consumer goods, contaminating indoor and outdoor environments. Because of
their high toxicity and environmental persistence, these chemicals are subject
to bans and restrictions worldwide.
“Studies show that BFR levels are rising rapidly in indoor dust, in
wildlife species around the world, and in people, including in breast milk,”
stated Kathleen Cooper, Senior Researcher with CELA. “These chemicals are
associated with adverse impacts on brain development, reproductive
abnormalities, cancer and other adverse health impacts in animal studies. The
use of these chemicals should be banned, not expanded.”
Adding BFRs to myriad consumer products will
also undermine efforts to address the burgeoning problem of electronic waste.
Increasing the load of fire retardants in the plastic waste stream can make
recycling and electronic take-back programs more difficult, costly, dangerous
and even impossible. Moreover, the burning of electronics treated with these
chemicals can and will produce even more highly toxic, persistent chemicals,
including dioxins and furans.
In writing today to the Canadian National
Committee of the IEC (a body established within the Canadian Standards
Association) CELA expressed concerns that this committee can influence a
decision with such far-reaching implications. “Canadians have no opportunity to
participate in the formation of these standards or hold their government
accountable for them. They certainly would not support standards that are
overwhelmingly intended to sell toxic chemicals under a false pretence of
ensuring fire safety,” Ms Cooper noted. CELA learned late yesterday that the US
Consumer Electronic Association has recommended against the candle flammability
requirement noting insufficient data to warrant a hazard and recognizing the health
and environmental concerns that have been raised. CELA urges the Canadian
National Committee to vote “No” on April 25th and urges Canadians to
also write to the CNC/IEC, to the federal Ministers of Health and Environment
and to their Member of Parliament.
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For
more information: Kathleen Cooper,
cell: 705-341-2488 or 416, 960-2284, ext 221, kcooper@cela.ca
