Impact of biomonitoring research on activism and regulation of flame retardant chemicals

This paper explores the experiences of activists and scientists who conduct their own or use others' biomonitoring research on flame retardants, chemicals widely used in consumer and household products with potential negative health and environmental impacts. Biomonitoring research measures chemical presence and quantity in bodily fluids, and is conducted by scientists, governments, and social movement organizations. Biomonitoring is important for public health because it demonstrates exposure to chemicals; raises ethical issues about reporting results; and is increasingly used to call for greater chemicals regulation. There is concern that women will not breastfeed if chemicals are detected in breastmilk, though research does not demonstrate such refusal. We analyze over 25 interviews with scientists, activists, regulators, industry representatives, and toxics experts to examine how body burdens of flame retardants change personal behavior or inspire professional or political action. Flame retardants are a particularly interesting example of how biomonitoring can lead to personal or policy change because they are ubiquitous and unavoidable, many remain unregulated, and health guidelines on safe exposure levels do not exist. Respondents credit the growth of biomonitoring research with recent regulatory successes in banning certain flame retardants. Biomonitoring data is a powerful tool for advocacy and regulatory challenge because it personalizes the exposure experience, linking personal behaviors to toxic exposure. Additionally, biomonitoring is often done using body fluids like breastmilk and cord blood that are linked to images of children and motherhood. Biomonitoring research thus has profound implications for social movements, health behavior, and policy-making around chemical exposure.