PBDE - What's in Your Mattress?

PBDE's are fire retardants. The PBDE stands for Poly Brominated Diphenyl Ether.

Why do we use them?

PBDE's are sused as fire retardants in highly flammable plastics - eg. computer consoles, synthetic mattresses, cushions and blankets.

These materials require high amounts of fire retardants because when they burn they also melt and produce toxic gases. So PBDE's enable them to pass fire safety regulations.

However, it's been shown that PBDE's accumulate inside humans. They simply aren't being broken down by our systems. Most substances are considered dangerous when they accumulate in our systems. This has led to concerns that PBDE's may be carcinogenic.

Carcinogens is technically any substance that causes or contributes towards cancer. They work usually by effecting our DNA. They can cause dangerous DNA changes or increase the rate of cell division.

One specific quality of carcinogens is that they acumulate. In fact, exposure to carcinogens may have little or no effect the first, or tenth time. Long term exposure to carcinogens is regarded as dangerous.

Some forms of PBDE's have been banned in Europe and California.

There are alternatives to PBDE's. They include using mattresses and bedding made of naturally flame resistant materials - like wool. Some companies, like IKEA, make PBDE free furniture.