Map: Wildlife Polluted by Flame Retardants on Massive Scale
Belugas to Butterflies Plagued by Harmful Chemicals
Click on the image above, or here, to access our interactive Google Earth map. Once the map opens, select ‘Slide Show’ in the upper left corner to browse through the different studies.
Flame retardant chemicals used in everyday products are contaminating wildlife across every continent. These include already phased-out chemicals (PCBs and PBDEs) as well as those that continue to be used (chlorinated paraffins and organophosphate flame retardants). More than 150 species, including endangered animals like killer whales and red pandas, have been affected.
Important Notes:
- Only a subset of animals in a few regions have been studied for specific flame retardants.
- This map shows a selection of peer-reviewed studies; many more exist.
- Flame retardants are used to meet flammability standards which often do not provide meaningful fire-safety benefits and can be influenced by flame retardant manufacturers.
- Wildlife & humans are exposed to flame retardants from air, water, & food; see observed health harms below.
- This exposure can continue decades after a specific flame retardant is phased out due to its persistent, mobile, bioaccumulative, & toxic properties.
- Flame retardants should be used only after their lack of health harm and value in preventing fires have been demonstrated.
The above health impacts are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to health harms experienced by wildlife due to the use of flame retardant chemicals in products before safety and efficacy are demonstrated.
Flame retardants also cause health harm in humans, including:
- Endocrine disruption
- Neurodevelopmental effects
- Decreased fertility
- Some cancers
Learn more about flame retardants at SixClasses.org and reducing exposure here.
Flame Retardant Chemical Abbreviations
The original map was produced by Maddie Dolan in MapMe. In 2026, the map was moved to Google Earth.