Human Rights Impacts of DecaBDE Pollution on People

This report by the Center for International Environmental Law examines the human rights implications of decaBDE (decabromodiphenyl ether), an additive flame retardant used in plastics and textiles. It details the chemical's adverse health effects, its bioaccumulative nature, and how its presence in consumer products and the environment violates rights to health, life, adequate housing, food, water, and information.

• DecaBDE is an additive flame retardant primarily used in plastic polymers—such as electronic equipment housing, construction materials, and telephones—and textiles, including upholstery, mattresses, and window blinds.
• The chemical causes severe health issues, acting as an endocrine disruptor and affecting the nervous system (impacting memory and learning), the reproductive system (altering genitals and sperm), and is suspected of being carcinogenic.
• Children and infants face disproportionately high risks of exposure through breast milk, placental transfer, and the ingestion of house dust via hand-to-mouth activity.
• Occupational exposure is significant for workers in manufacturing, waste industries, and electronics repair. Notably, computer technicians have shown decaBDE levels five times higher than computer clerks or hospital cleaners.
• Firefighters are at risk due to the inhalation of toxic gases during combustion; a study of Californian firefighters found that PBDE-209 contributed more than 50% of the total PBDE concentration in four individuals.
• DecaBDE bioaccumulates in food webs, with dietary intake being the primary exposure route for adults, particularly through animal fats such as meat, eggs, fish, and shellfish.
• The report argues that the continued use and lack of labeling of decaBDE violate several international human rights, including the right to the highest attainable standard of health, the right to adequate housing, and the right to access information.
• Regulatory actions have been taken to restrict the chemical, including its inclusion in the EU Candidate List of substances of very high concern (SVHCs) since 2012 and a ban on PBDEs in electronic equipment in the EU since 2008.

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} }