Map: Wildlife Polluted by Flame Retardants on Massive Scale
Belugas to Butterflies Plagued by Harmful Chemicals
Important notes:
- Many more studies on wildlife flame retardant (FR) exposure are not included on this map.
- The absence of data does not mean an animal was not exposed to an FR, rather it means that scientists did not study that specific exposure.
- The map does not include FR exposure in animals intended as food.
- Wildlife and human environmental exposures from air, water, and food can continue decades after a specific FR is phased out.
- FRs are used to meet flammability standards which do not always provide meaningful fire-safety benefits and can be coopted by those who profit financially from such standards.
- FRs should only be used after their lack of health harm and value in preventing fires have been demonstrated.
- The persistent, mobile, toxic, and bioaccumulative properties of FRs lead to continued widespread exposure and health harms, see examples below.
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 how to reduce your exposure here.
Flame retardant chemical abbreviations:
