Mammals, Birds and Fish Plagued Worldwide by Harmful Chemicals : Wildlife Polluted by “Flame Retardants” on Massive Scale

By Green Science Policy Institute

Global Research, October 20, 2023

Green Science Policy Institute

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Belugas to Butterflies Plagued by Harmful Chemicals

Click here for the interactive map

Important notes:

• Only a subset of animals in a few regions have been studied for specific flame retardants.
• This map shows a selection of peer-reviewed studies; many more exist. 
• Flame retardants are used to meet flammability standards which often do not provide meaningful fire-safety benefitsand can be influenced by flame retardant manufacturers.
• Wildlife & humans are exposed to flame retardants from air, water, & food; see observed health harms below.
• This exposure can continue decades after a specific flame retardant is phased out due to its persistent, mobile, bioaccumulative, & toxic properties.
• Flame retardants should be used only after their lack of health harm and value in preventing fires have been demonstrated.

A Selection of Health Effects of Flame Retardants in Wildlife

Flame Retardant	Animal	Health Impact
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)	Killer Whales	Estimated to threaten long-term viability of >50% global killer whale population
	River Otters	Associated with changes in thyroid & sex hormone levels
	Polar Bears	Associated with changes in thyroid hormone levels
	Beluga Whales	Altered vitamin A and E profiles
	Ringed Seals	Impacted health-related gene transcription
	Killer Whales	Altered gene transcription
PBDEs	American Kestrels	Lowered reproductive success, less copulation & pair bonding
	Sea Lions	Associated with urogenital cancer
	Chinook Salmon	Increased infectious disease susceptibility
	Mice	Decreased thyroid hormone concentrations
	Polar Bears	Associated with changes in thyroid hormone levels
Chlorinated paraffins	Rainbow Trout	Diminished startle response, loss of equilibrium, liver lesions (SCCPs, MCPPs)
	Zebrafish	Altered thyroid hormone levels (SCCPs)
	American Kestrels	Reduced thyroid hormones (SCCPs)
Other halogenated FRs	American Kestrels	Likely obesogenic (DBE-DBCH)
		Reduced vocalization, courtship, egg mass, & male parental behavior (HBCD)
		Thyroid disruption, oxidative stress, altered heart & brain mass (EHTBB, TBPH)
Organophosphate FRs	Rats and Mice	Increased liver and kidney tumors (TCPP)
	Japanese Quail	Thyroidal effects, suppressed growth, reduced metabolic rate (TPhP)
	Zebrafish	Altered motility & anxiety-related behavior (IPP, BPDP, EHDP)
	Mice	Oxidative stress & endocrine disruption, e.g. decreased testosterone (TCEP, TPP)
	Zebrafish	Altered hormone levels, decreased egg production, & malformation (TDCPP)

 

The above health impacts are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to health harms experienced by wildlife due to the use of flame retardant chemicals in products before safety and efficacy are demonstrated. 

Flame retardants also cause health harm in humans, including:

• Endocrine disruption
• Neurodevelopmental effects
• Decreased fertility
• Some cancers

Learn more about flame retardants at SixClasses.org and reducing exposure here.

If you’d like to suggest a new study that could be added to our selection of points, email it to Lydia@GreenSciencePolicy.org.

Map designed and produced by Maddie Dolan.

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The original source of this article is Green Science Policy Institute

Copyright © Green Science Policy Institute, Green Science Policy Institute, 2023

https://www.globalresearch.ca/map-wildlife-polluted-by-flame-retardants-on-massive-scale/5837211

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