The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #50090

Linda S. Birnbaum, PhD, Experimental Toxicology Division, NHEERL, US EPA, 66 USEPA Mailroom, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, (919) 541-2655, Birnbaum.Linda@epamail.epa.gov

Like PCBs, PBDEs released to the environment pose a threat to ecosystems and human health across the country and around the world. In addition to direct effects, PBDEs are converted to brominated dioxins and furans (also POPs) during combustion events such as building fires. Ongoing monitoring at the World Trade Center site is expected to find significant levels of PBDEs and PBDDs/PBDFs. Given the escalating levels of these chemicals in the environment, the emerging evidence of adverse health effects, and our historical experience with PCBs, this presentation will focus on possible policy actions to curb releases and exposures to PBDEs. In particular, this presentation will examine the activities of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with regard to PBDEs, as well as the likelihood that PBDEs could be added to an existing global treaty to eliminate POPs.

Learning Objectives: Participants will learn

• What actions EPA is taking on PBDEs, and what authority the agency has to take additional policy actions; and
• Whether PBDEs meet the screening criteria set out by the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.