FLAME RETARDANT

A.7977-B (Sweeney, et al.)

Summary

This bill amends the Environmental Conservation Law, Section 37-0101 to include decabromo- diphenyl ether (deca-BDE) among the brominated flame retardants whose manufacture, process, or sale is prohibited. This bill would phase out, by July 1, 2008, the use of decaBDE, a flame retardant in common use in covered electronic devices, upholstered furniture, and mattresses.  The bill provides for exceptions to the phase-out date for component parts of used vehicles, new and used vehicles manufactured prior to January 1, 2008, military equipment, medical devices and used products sold or distributed by a business, charity or private party.

Explanation                                                                                                   New York State, in Chapter 387 of the Laws of 2004, banned the manufacture, process, or distribution of two types of brominated flame retardants, penta-BDE and octa-BDE because of suggested links to permanent neurological and developmental damage.  Associated health risks include learning deficits, memory and hearing impairment, behavioral abnormalities and delayed sensory-motor development. The ban, however, did not include deca-BDE which is the most widely used of the three brominated flame retardants – an estimated 24,000 metric tons annually in North America.

This flame retardant, which can be found in virtually every home and office in the United States, is persistent in the environment, accumulates in dust and food and has been shown to pose the same neurological and developmental health risks as those associated with the other previously banned brominated flame retardants. Adding deca-BDE to the list of banned brominated flame retardants is important for the protection of both the environment and human health.

Environmental Advocates of New York supports this bill.