Scare flares over fire retardant in polar bears

Sydney Morning Herald ^ | June 2, 2004 | By Alister Doyle, in Oslo

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Chemicals widely used as flame retardants in homes have been discovered in Arctic polar bears and birds, and could pose a health hazard, Norwegian scientists say.

Now the Government is to seek a European Union review of the chemicals, which are used in everything from computers to clothes.

"Traces of the compounds were found in studies of polar bears and in glaucous gulls," said Geir Wing Gabrielsen, head of a toxicology research program at the Norwegian Polar Institute. "This is the first time that this flame retardant has been found in the Arctic."

Traces of the so-called deca-BDE flame retardant, commonly used in car upholstery and televisions, had previously been found in falcons in Sweden and samples of human blood further south.

But the discovery in Arctic animals, far from sources of pollution and swept north by prevailing winds and ocean currents, was a sign that they might not break down as quickly into harmless units as previously thought, Dr Gabrielsen said.

The European Union will ban two other types of brominated flame retardant, penta-BDE and octa-BDE, this year because of health worries. Norway, a non-member, will ban them, too.

The environmental group WWF called for a ban on deca-BDE, even though it said little was known about its toxicity.

"The fact that it travels long distances, accumulates in wildlife and potentially breaks down into other harmful compounds is, in WWF's view, enough to justify a ban," it said.

Brominated flame retardants save thousands of lives every year by slowing the spread of fires, manufacturers say.

Reuters

[fish hawk]

Ed Asner: the great white dope. or should I say red?

[Bacon Man]

This looks like a job for Bi-Polar Bear ..... but I just can't seem to get out of bed.

[Xenalyte]

Don't you have an appointment with Captain Sanity?

[Bacon Man]

Don't you have an appointment with Captain Sanity?

He retired ... or had himself committed. Don't remember really. Both would be good for him. The stress of being an imaginary therapist was really taking its toll.

[Sloth]

Flame Retardant Polar Bears would be a great name for a band.

[RightWhale]

glaucous gulls

Gulls shouldn't be eating polar bears. But if the gulls are glaucous, it might be that they just can't see what they are eating.

[madison10]

Are the scientists POSITIVE that the chemical is not a substance that occurs naturally in polar bears? That would be a kick.

[arthurus]

This will protect them from the severe global warming that is coming.

[beebuster2000]

If I was a Polar Bear
Flaming like a beacon
It would take the Liberal Mind
To extinguish all hope of speakin

[Thinkin' Gal]

Once they’re impervious to fire, they’ll be no stopping the polar bears from ruling the world.

Polar bears are Joos?! Who knew? The Zionist hordes are on the move!

[snooker]

What's wrong with you ...

Polar bear flame out.

[humblegunner]

Bi-Polar Bear makes me sad.
He needs medicated.

[Reagan is King]

Is there some way we could extract that material from polar bears?

HA! Hey, it's a renewable resource of deca-BDE.

[Lijahsbubbe]

Polar bears are Joos?! Who knew? The Zionist hordes are on the move!

Well they can have the north. I don't like cold and I don't like camping out! (never did understand snowmobiling either...)

[evolved_rage]

LMAO!!!

[dighton]

Once they’re impervious to fire, they’ll be no stopping the polar bears from ruling the world.

COINCIDENCE ?????

Sun's rays to roast Earth as poles flip

[gitmo]

[asgardshill]

I for one want to know Sexual Harassment Panda's views on this story.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

How on earth did I miss this the first time around?

[Tealc]

You could at least try to say it to the tune. :)