A toxic substance used in numerous everyday objects, from phones and TVs to furniture and textiles, has once again caught the attention of researchers, after American authorities were accused of downplaying its risks, especially for children.
We are talking about tetrabromobisphenol A, known as TBBPA, a flame retardant substance used to prevent or slow down the ignition of materials. It can be found in electronic components, appliance casings, plastic materials, textiles, and other products.
The issue is that TBBPA does not always remain in the products where it was introduced. It can end up in household dust and, from there, in the body. Young children are considered more vulnerable precisely because they spend a lot of time on the floor and frequently put their hands in their mouths.
Studies have linked exposure to this substance with effects on the hormonal, immune, and nervous systems, as well as developmental problems. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified TBBPA as "probably carcinogenic to humans."
Why is it being talked about now
The controversy erupted in the United States, where the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), under the Trump administration, published a preliminary risk assessment. However, several experts and public health activists accuse the agency of downplaying the substance's dangers and relying too much on studies from the chemical industry.
The agency identified possible risks for certain categories of employees exposed to TBBPA and for the environment, but reached the preliminary conclusion that the substance does not pose an "unreasonable risk" to consumers or the general population.
Several researchers, former EPA specialists, and environmental organizations, however, challenge this conclusion, as reported by The Guardian. They accuse the agency of underestimating real exposure to the substance and relying too much on data from the chemical industry.
One of the main controversies concerns children. Critics argue that the assessment does not sufficiently consider the amount of TBBPA that can end up in household dust and all the products through which people can be exposed.
It is not just an American issue
TBBPA is one of the brominated flame retardant substances used internationally, including in electronic products and other goods marketed worldwide.
European authorities have also analyzed the risks associated with this substance. In the European Union, there are restrictions on TBBPA in certain uses, and the substance is under the supervision of chemical product regulatory authorities.
The controversy in the US brings up a broader issue: how well can the risks of a substance that is found in so many products and to which people can be repeatedly exposed, without knowing, be evaluated.
G.P.