Flame Retardant Finishes are ending up in Killer Whales and Us
 “What do killer whales and Canadian women have in common? Scientific evidence reveals that the bodies of killer whales and Canadian women share the dubious distinction of being among the world’s leaders as receptacles for a group of toxic industrial chemicals known as brominated flame-retardants.” 1
Interior designers and decorators know we need to use flame retardant fabrics in commercial (contract) interior projects, even though the standards vary slightly in different locations. They are a good idea for residential projects if clients smoke in the home.
 One of the highlights of my recent sailing trip was a stop in Telegraph Cove on Vancouver Island, Canada, where I met Jaime, an Australian marine biologist in the Whale Interpretive Centre  www.killerwhalecentre.org . Amidst amazingly huge skeletons of whales, she explained the declining Killer (Orca) whale population and their susceptibility to environmental toxins such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Females can live to 60-80 years since they are thought to transfer toxins out of their bodies to their offspring when they nurse. Male Orcas live on average 40–60 years because they have no way of eliminating the toxins. The decline in the male and therefore overall population is of particular concern.
(To see more whale photos and read the rest of the story, click on 'read more'.)
North American fabric suppliers and converters routinely apply PBDEs (primarily the deca form) to interior design fabrics to achieve the required fire codes. The Canadian government acknowledges that PBDEs are persistent and toxic, impair brain development, cause liver damage and possibly cause cancer, yet still have not banned the use of all forms, only the 3 most toxic forms. They do however admit that the deca form breaks down in the body to the most toxic forms! Nordic countries, that many years ago limited the use of these toxic chemicals, have seen a substantial decline in human accumulation in a short time. Cost effective alternatives are available. 1,2,3
 A few days later on my sailing trip, I joined Bill Mackay from Port McNeill on his boat, the Naiad Explorer http://www.whaletime.com/ for a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ experience of Orca whale watching. These lovely mammals can reach 30 feet (9m) long and each pod has their own distinctive vocalization. As we bobbed quietly on the calm ocean and listened to the whales through Bill’s hydrophones, the plight of these magnificent animals was brought home. What a rare priviledge to be able to see, hear and photograph them.
My suggestion is for designers to specify fabrics that are inherently flame retardant. Of course, each fabric must be tested and labeled accordingly. We should never assume! Many wools and silks, as protein fibres, will pass the tests. Polyesters, nylons, modacrylics and aramids will often pass due to their high melting temperatures. A tighter fabric weave of these fibres does not support combustion as easily.
When you have a choice, do select an inherently flame retardant (FR) fabric as opposed to one that has a chemical finish applied. You, your client and the whales will be happier!
Sources:
1. Boyd D.R., Wallace S.S., “Fireproof Whales and Contaminated Mother’s Milk – The Inadequacy of Canada’s Proposed PBDE Regulations”, David Suzuki Foundation, October, 2006
2. Madsen T, Lee S, Olle T, “Growing Threats: Toxic Flame Retardants and Children’s Health”, Environment California Research and Policy Center, March 2003
3. Environment Canada CEPA Environmental Registry Current Regulations for PBDEs: http://www.ec.gc.ca/CEPARegistry/regulations/DetailReg.cfm?intReg=108
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