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Fire retardants in household computers may have caused DFTD
Ground-breaking research has suggested that flame retardants hexabromobiphenyl (BB153) and decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE209) have been found in significant quantities in the fatty tissue of 16 DFTD-infected Tasmanian devils.
Although this observation does not establish a link between the chemical compounds and the disease, there are fears the discovery will add fuel to a global push to ban the use of these chemicals.
According to the article, Dr Lloyd-Smith of The International Persistent Organic Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN) said "If Tasmanian devils are being exposed to these chemicals, then what on earth is happening to the population of Tasmania? ... Of particular concern would be women of child-bearing age or pregnant women. They (PBDEs) can impact on the immune system. They can affect the way the brain develops, the way we think and feel."
Full article at The Australian
Posted by: admin on 21 Jan 2008 05:49 PM.
Updated by: admin on 21 Jan 2008 05:49 PM
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