Scientists have discovered that flame retardants called PBDEs are spreading through our environment and affecting the health of humans, animals, and ecosystems all at once. These chemicals, used to make furniture and electronics less flammable, are found in household dust, food, and even in mothers’ bodies before babies are born. A new review of thousands of studies shows that PBDEs can harm brain development in children, damage reproductive systems, and weaken immune function across many species. The research suggests we need a coordinated global effort to reduce these chemicals, protect vulnerable groups like pregnant women and children, and monitor their spread in our environment.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How flame retardant chemicals called PBDEs spread through the environment and affect the health of humans, animals, and ecosystems together
  • Who participated: This was a review of thousands of scientific studies published in major research databases, not a single study with human participants
  • Key finding: PBDEs are found everywhere—in household dust, food, water, and even in unborn babies—and appear to cause similar health problems across humans and wildlife, including brain development issues, reproductive harm, and weakened immunity
  • What it means for you: You may be exposed to PBDEs through everyday items in your home, especially if you have older furniture or electronics. Pregnant women and young children face the highest risks and should consider reducing exposure by minimizing dust and choosing products without flame retardants when possible

The Research Details

Scientists reviewed and analyzed thousands of published research papers from major scientific databases to understand how PBDEs move through our environment and affect health. Instead of conducting one new experiment, they looked at patterns across many existing studies to see what we already know about these chemicals. This type of review is valuable because it brings together information from hundreds of different research projects conducted around the world, helping scientists spot common patterns and trends that might not be obvious from looking at just one study.

The researchers examined how PBDEs get into our bodies and the environment, what health problems they cause, and what solutions might work. They looked at studies involving humans, animals, and environmental samples to understand how these chemicals connect all living things. This approach, called “One Health,” recognizes that human health, animal health, and environmental health are all linked together.

This research approach is important because PBDEs don’t stay in one place—they spread through air, water, soil, and food chains. By looking at all the research together, scientists can see the big picture of how these chemicals affect everything connected to our environment. This helps governments and health organizations make better decisions about protecting people and nature from these harmful substances.

This review synthesizes information from peer-reviewed scientific databases, which means the studies included have been checked by other scientists. However, because this is a review rather than a new experiment, the strength of conclusions depends on the quality of the original studies reviewed. The findings represent current scientific consensus based on available research, but some areas may need more investigation. The review was published in Chemosphere, a respected environmental science journal.

What the Results Show

PBDEs are found in nearly every environment on Earth, from household dust to ocean water to Arctic ice. These chemicals were added to furniture, carpets, electronics, and clothing to prevent fires, but they don’t stay contained—they leak out over time and spread widely. Scientists found that PBDEs enter our bodies mainly through three routes: eating contaminated food, breathing in dust particles, and in babies, through their mothers during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

The research shows that PBDEs cause similar health problems across different species, suggesting that all living things are vulnerable to these chemicals. The most concerning effects include damage to brain development (affecting learning and behavior), problems with reproductive systems, disruption of hormones that control body functions, and weakening of the immune system that helps fight infections. Children and pregnant women appear to be at highest risk because their bodies are still developing.

A particularly worrying discovery is that PBDEs may interact with microplastics (tiny plastic particles now found everywhere), potentially making them even more harmful and creating new ways for exposure to occur. This suggests the problem may be getting worse as plastic pollution increases.

The review found that even though some countries have banned or restricted PBDEs, these chemicals remain a global problem because they persist in the environment for decades. Older furniture and electronics still release PBDEs, and some countries continue using them. The chemicals accumulate in animal tissues and move up the food chain, meaning predators and humans eating contaminated animals receive higher doses. Additionally, PBDEs have been detected in human breast milk worldwide, confirming that mothers pass these chemicals to nursing infants.

This review builds on decades of research showing PBDEs are harmful. Previous studies identified individual health effects; this research connects those findings across human health, animal health, and environmental contamination. It also highlights newer concerns like the interaction between PBDEs and microplastics, which represents an emerging area of scientific concern not fully understood in earlier research.

This is a review of existing studies rather than new research, so conclusions depend on the quality and completeness of previous work. Some regions and populations have been studied more thoroughly than others, which may create gaps in our understanding. The exact health risks for individual people are difficult to determine because exposure levels vary widely and depend on many factors. Additionally, because PBDEs have been used for decades, it’s challenging to separate their effects from other environmental exposures people experience.

The Bottom Line

Based on current evidence (moderate to high confidence): Reduce household dust by regular damp cleaning, especially in homes with older furniture; pregnant women and young children should prioritize minimizing exposure by choosing flame-retardant-free products when possible; support policies that phase out PBDEs and monitor their replacement chemicals; eat a varied diet to reduce concentration of any single contaminated food source. These recommendations are practical steps supported by the research, though complete avoidance is nearly impossible given widespread contamination.

Pregnant women and families with young children should be most concerned about reducing PBDE exposure. People living in homes with older furniture, carpets, or electronics should be aware of potential exposure. Everyone benefits from supporting environmental policies to reduce these chemicals. People with specific health concerns should discuss PBDE exposure with their healthcare provider.

Reducing exposure may take weeks to months to show effects, as PBDEs accumulate slowly in the body. Meaningful health improvements from reduced exposure would likely take months to years to become apparent, similar to other environmental health improvements. Complete elimination from the environment would take decades because these chemicals persist in soil and water.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track household dust levels weekly by measuring dust accumulation on surfaces (using a simple dust cloth and noting amount), correlating with cleaning frequency and home ventilation practices
  • Set weekly reminders for damp dusting (which captures particles better than dry dusting) and log completion; identify and note older furniture or electronics in your home that may be PBDE sources; track purchases of flame-retardant-free products when available
  • Create a monthly home environment checklist tracking: dust cleaning frequency, ventilation practices, age of major furniture/electronics, and dietary diversity; set quarterly reminders to research PBDE-free product alternatives; track any health symptoms in vulnerable household members to discuss patterns with healthcare providers

This review synthesizes existing scientific research but is not a substitute for medical advice. PBDEs are widespread environmental contaminants, but individual health risks vary based on exposure levels, genetics, and other factors. Pregnant women, nursing mothers, and parents of young children concerned about PBDE exposure should consult with their healthcare provider for personalized guidance. This information is intended for educational purposes and should not be used for self-diagnosis or treatment decisions. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals regarding health concerns related to chemical exposure.