Toxic PBDE's in foam mattresses

[Muse]

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers, are said to be toxic. Are they water soluble? I cut up old foam mattresses and use them for kitchen sponges. I'm wondering if this is poisoning me or if the chemicals are washed down the drain when I rinse out the "sponges."

 

[SunnyD]

Originally posted by: Muse
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers, are said to be toxic. Are they water soluble? I cut up old foam mattresses and use them for kitchen sponges. I'm wondering if this is poisoning me or if the chemicals are washed down the drain when I rinse out the "sponges."

Dude... I'd be more worried about eating off a plate washed in someone's spooge over toxic chemicals! :Q

 

[sdifox]

wtf, scotchbrite is like 2 for a dollar at the dollar store, get those. Do not use anything not designed for kitchen in the kitchen.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: sdifox
wtf, scotchbrite is like 2 for a dollar at the dollar store, get those. Do not use anything not designed for kitchen in the kitchen.

I pretty much told him this in the first thread in health and fitness.

 

[uclaLabrat]

They're not soluble in water, but are extremely fat soluble. That said, they're probably in low concentration. Weren't they used as fire retardants? Are they still used? At any rate, don't use them, it's not worth the risk. Just go buy some sponges.

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged

Originally posted by: sdifox
wtf, scotchbrite is like 2 for a dollar at the dollar store, get those. Do not use anything not designed for kitchen in the kitchen.

I pretty much told him this in the first thread in health and fitness.

I don't do health and fitness

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: uclaLabrat
They're not soluble in water, but are extremely fat soluble. That said, they're probably in low concentration. Weren't they used as fire retardants? Are they still used? At any rate, don't use them, it's not worth the risk. Just go buy some sponges.

I guess. I'll be shopping for sponges. Thanks.

I guess I can still use the other ones to wash the walls, etc.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Your penis will fall off.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

From what I understand, the greater risk is from ingestion (eating fish that have a high concentration due to bio-magnification) and breathing in PBDEs, but I wouldn't want to be handling them on a regular basis either.

They are getting into the water although it's probably no big deal on your sponge level. Whales in the arctic ocean have been found to have high concentration of PBDEs in their blubber due to PBDEs getting into the food chain and then working their way up to the whales that end up with high concentration in their bodies.

 

[Muse]

Are PBDEs harmful to human health?

The health effects of PBDEs have not been studied in humans. Instead, studies with laboratory animals provide information on the toxic effects of PBDEs. In these animal studies, PBDE exposure before and after birth caused problems with brain development. These studies observed problems with learning, memory and behavior. They also show that exposure to PBDEs during development can decrease thyroid hormone levels and affect reproduction.

These effects are observed mainly in studies with Penta forms of PBDEs. Some similar toxic effects are seen with Octa and Deca forms of PBDEs, but at higher levels than for Penta. There is some evidence from animal studies that Deca PBDE may cause cancer at high levels. Penta and Octa have not been tested in cancer studies with animals.

PBDEs have a similar chemical structure to PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), which have been studied in humans. (PCBs are no longer used in the U.S. For more information on PCBs go to http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts17.html). This suggests that PBDEs may be similar to PCBs in terms of toxic effects and their ability to build up in the environment and in people. PCBs are believed to cause skin conditions in adults and affect the nervous and immune systems of children. At high levels they may cause cancer. Studies are needed to determine if PBDEs have similar effects on human health.

http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/oeha...%20toxic%20are%20PBDEs