TV makers use organohalogen flame retardants decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE) and decabrominated diphenyl ether (deca-BDE) in TVs that can escape the TV and contaminate house dust in homes. Median levels of deca-BDE and DBDPE in household dust were found to be three and four times higher, respectively, in homes with one or more TVs, compared to homes with none. Organohalogen flame retardants are persistent chemicals linked to a variety of health effects, including hormone disruption, cancer and learning deficits . Studies link higher levels of deca-BDE in the home with greater incidence of thyroid cancer.
Studies have found these chemicals on hands and cell phones also. These flame retardants appear to be moving from TVs to our hands to cell phones, which then act as secondary sources of exposure. Frequent hand-washing can help to reduce exposure. But the only real solution is for…
