Wal-Mart Voluntarily Bans PBDEs

Mega-store giant Wal-Mart has voluntarily agreed to ban all consumer products containing PBDEs. This toxic flame retardant that is found in high levels in children's blood has been called a "chemical of concern" by the EPA.

Mother Nature Network reports:

Who needs government regulation when you have Wal-Mart? The retial [sic] giant is bypassing the government all together with a recent announcement that it will ban a controversial flame retardant commonly found in consumer goods, from computers to couches child safety seats.

The chemicals in question are polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEs, a class of chemical compounds used since the 70s as flame retardants in everything from furniture to electronics to sporting goods. But several studies have linked the chemicals to problems with the liver, thyroid and reproductive systems and brain development in laboratory animals.

In a recent notice to its suppliers, Wal-Mart said it would begin its own round of testing on June 1st to make sure products do not contain PBDEs. The company stated that the decision to ban PBDEs had been made several years ago, but just recently reminded its suppliers that it would begin verification testing

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I commend Wal-Mart for banning PBDEs, but I still not support the mega-stores. They are responsible for many local shops closing down, as well as the over-consumption of cheap goods made overseas.

Photo:   Some rights reserved by Monochrome

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Posted by Jennifer Lance at March 24, 2011 3:41 AM