Human Rights Impacts of DecaBDE Pollution on People

The report details how decaBDE, used in plastics and textiles, acts as an endocrine disruptor and neurotoxin, disproportionately affecting children and workers. It frames these health risks as violations of international covenants, such as the ICCPR and CESCR, and calls for a global ban under the Stockholm Convention.

• DecaBDE is an additive flame retardant used primarily in plastic polymers for electronics and construction, and in textiles for upholstery, curtains, and mattresses.
• The chemical is linked to severe health issues, including endocrine disruption, nervous system impairment affecting memory and learning, reproductive system alterations, and suspected carcinogenicity.
• Children and foetuses are at heightened risk due to exposure via the placenta, cord blood, breast milk, and hand-to-mouth activity with house dust.
• Occupational exposure is significant for workers in manufacturing, waste, and electronics repair; specifically, computer technicians have shown decaBDE levels five times higher than hospital cleaners.
• Firefighters face specific risks as decaBDE is prevalent in the toxic gases produced during the combustion of treated materials.
• The report argues that decaBDE pollution violates the right to health and life under the ICCPR, CRC, and CESCR, as there is no safe level of exposure for endocrine disruptors.
• The lack of a global legal framework for labeling products containing decaBDE is identified as an infringement of the right to access information.
• Dietary intake is the primary exposure route for adults, with the chemical accumulating in animal fats, fish, shellfish, and meat.

APA

Center for International Environmental Law (n.d.). Human Rights Impacts of DecaBDE Pollution on People. https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/HR_DecaBDE.pdf

Chicago

Center for International Environmental Law. Human Rights Impacts of DecaBDE Pollution on People. n.d. https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/HR_DecaBDE.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Center for International Environmental Law |title=Human Rights Impacts of DecaBDE Pollution on People |url=https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/HR_DecaBDE.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{centerforinternationalenvironmentallawndhuman, author = {{Center for International Environmental Law}}, title = {{Human Rights Impacts of DecaBDE Pollution on People}}, institution = {Center for International Environmental Law}, url = {https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/HR_DecaBDE.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }