How Flame Retardants Affect Hormones

Medical Reviewed By Lucas Rosa

PhD in Molecular Biology

Flame retardants are commonly used for fire safety in everyday products, but their effects on our hormones create a growing concern.

What Are Flame Retardants?

Flame retardants are chemicals that are added to materials to prevent or slow the spread of fire. The primary function is to promote fire safety by providing individuals with more time to escape from fires. They are widely used in a variety of products including furniture, electronics, building materials, and textiles.

Flame retardants have been found to interfere with the endocrine system which is responsible for hormone production and regulation in the body. These chemicals do not break down easily and can be in our bodies for years.

Flame retardants can bind to hormone receptors, disrupt hormone metabolism, and alter the creation and release of hormones. For example, PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers) have been shown to disrupt thyroid hormone levels which are crucial for regulating metabolism, growth, and development.

Where Are They Found?

Flame retardants can be found in everyday household items such as sofas, mattresses, carpets, phones, laptops, clothing, construction materials, and children's toys.

Common types of flame retardants include brominated (BFRs), hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), organophosphate (OPFRs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), tetrabromobisphenol a (TBBPA), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), chlorinated compounds, and phosphate-based compounds. 

Despite their widespread use, there is growing concern about the potential health risks associated with prolonged exposure to flame retardants.

How They Enter The Body

Flame retardants can enter the human body through various pathways. One of the primary routes is through inhalation of dust particles that contain these chemicals. When flame retardants are used in household items, they can wear down over time and become part of the indoor dust we breathe in.

They can also enter the body through skin contact. We can have residue of flame retardants on our hands from the products that we touch allowing these chemicals to seep into our skin.

Additionally, flame retardants can enter through digestion. These chemicals can seep into our food from the packaging that our food is in, and the materials we use to cook our food.

Health Effects of Flame Retardants

Flame retardants disrupt the endocrine system and can lead to hormonal imbalances.

These hormonal imbalances can affect reproductive health, leading to fertility problems and developmental issues in children. Studies have linked exposure to flame retardants with behavioral issues, attention deficits, and hyperactivity in children.

Endocrine disruption can also contribute to metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes. There is also evidence suggesting a link between flame retardant exposure and an increased risk of certain cancers, including breast cancer and endocrine-related cancers.

The long-term health effects of continuous exposure to flame retardants are still being studied, but the current findings underscore the need for caution and further research. These chemicals can accumulate within our bodies and have the potential to lead to chronic health issues.

Tips to Minimize Exposure

To reduce exposure to flame retardants, regularly clean and dust your home. This will help reduce the amount of flame retardant chemicals that you inhale. Using a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter can be particularly effective in capturing fine dust particles.

When purchasing new products look at the labels of items and opt for those that are free of flame retardants. Especially in clothing, furniture, and items for children, because these are the most common areas in which flame retardants are found.

When purchasing electronics, buy from companies with policies to avoid or minimize the use of flame retardants.

Be careful whenever you are around construction materials and wear a respiration mask whenever dealing with these materials. Instead of using spray foam insulation, use blown-in insulation made from wood fiber, fiberglass, or cellulose. 

Finally, wash your hands before you eat, this can also reduce your exposure to flame retardant chemicals. 

Conclusion

While flame retardants play a role in enhancing fire safety, their potential impact on the endocrine system cannot be overlooked. These chemicals interfere with our hormones and have been associated with some chronic health conditions.

By taking steps to minimize exposure to flame retardants, we can protect ourselves and our families from the hidden dangers of these harmful chemicals.

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