PBDEs in D-U-S-T

Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Posted by Janelle Sorensen

We recently highlighted a new CBS report about flame retardants known as PBDEs in everyday products like mattresses and car seats and today we’re expanding the story to let you know about the true ubiquity of this wolf in sheep’s clothing (if you don’t get the analogy it means PBDEs are really bad, but industry says they’re good because they protect people from fire…I only spell it out because I know after a sleep deprived night with a sick toddler, or for any other sleep deprived, distracted reasoning due to parenting, I need help sometimes, so there you have it. PBDEs are a wolf in sheep’s clothing.)

Anyway, as if it’s not bad enough that PBDEs are in our mattresses and carseats among other things, they are in the dust…our dust…your dust…my dust, that’s piling up on each level of the book shelf across my living room and the window ledges I always seem to neglect.

I’ve had an issue with dust and general un-cleanliness ever since I cleaned houses as an undergrad, but it’s always been more of an aesthetic issue. I simply do not like looking at messes and filth. The growing demands of life have compromised my compulsion, but now it’s personal. Dust has risen to Public Enemy Number One. It’s loaded with chemicals that can impact the health and development of my children. Dust. Who would have thought?

I don’t know if I’m ready for the battle, but the game is on. Look out dust, I’m arming myself with a microfiber military and you will be eradicated. Maybe some days better than others, but you are definitely about to be demoted.

Learn the details about PBDEs in dust and how you can protect your family.