PBDEs found along U.S. coast

A report released on Wednesday by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration found that an industrial chemical commonly used as a flame retardant was detected along all U.S. coastlines and in trace amounts in shellfish.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are present in all U.S. coastal waters and the Great Lakes, with elevated levels near urban and industrial centers, says the report by NOAA's Mussel Watch program, the longest running and largest estuarine and coastal pollutant monitoring effort in the United States.

PBDEs are known to impair liver and thyroid functions and neurobehavioral development.

"This is a wake-up call for Americans concerned about the health of our coastal waters and their personal health," said John H. Dunnigan, NOAA assistant administrator of the National Ocean Service. "Scientific evidence strongly documents that these contaminants impact the food web, and action is needed to reduce the threats posed to aquatic resources and human health."

NOAA says thousands of new chemicals are engineered each year, and most will find their way into coastal, marine and lake waters with unknown consequences to the environment and to consumers. PBDEs are one of many sets of chemicals labeled as "Chemicals of Emerging Concern" by scientists around the world. Other such chemicals include agro-chemicals, pharmaceuticals and personal care products.

PBDEs are used in building materials, electronics, furnishings, motor vehicles, plastics, polyurethane foams and textiles. Production of these chemicals is banned in Europe, Asia and in some U.S. states.

"Given the present level of PBDE-containing consumer products in use today, waste disposal must mitigate the release of PBDEs to the environment," the report's executive summary said. "Determining and implementing best practices could have a substantial and positive impact on future contamination levels along the U.S. shoreline."

Study results suggest that the chemicals are widely distributed nationally. Several regions, including the northern Mid-Atlantic, central Gulf of Mexico, Southern California, Pacific Northwest and the Great Lakes have elevated PBDE concentrations compared with other coastal regions.

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