About Precaution

Maine Ban on Toxic Fire Retardants

In 2004, ME passed a law requiring safer alternatives to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), also called brominated flame retardants, which are used in computers, mattresses, and other products. The law bans the sale of products containing the PBDEs known as Penta and Octa by 2006 and requires a phase out the PBDE known as Deca by
2008 if safer alternatives are found to be nationally available. CA, HI and NY have passed similar laws.
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News Release
This 2004 News Release by Environmental Health Strategies Center describes the law and the hazards of PBDEs.
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Report on Alternatives to Deca PBDE
This 2005 report, Decabromodiphenylether: An Investigation of Non-Halogen Substitutes in Electronic Enclosure and Textile Applications, by Lowell Center for Sustainable Production examines safer alternatives.
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