Notes from the Field: PBDE's

When I became pregnant, one of the first things we did was run out and buy a new couch. Not a crib, nor a bassinet. A couch.

How could I usher a new child into this world with that denim-and-white striped monstrosity that followed me from the midwest to the south to DC? You know the couch I'm talking about. The last of the 80's poofy-sleeved dresses morphed into a place to sit. And to think I had disallowed my dogs the privilege!

Chris and I replaced, happily, my college-era couch with a lovely, top of the line sleeper in a show-stopping bright red. Now That's a couch I could bring baby home to!

Or could I?

No sooner had the deliverymen shoved the beast into our tiny apartment did I start reading about PBDE's--shorthand for polybrominated diphenyl ether, the chemicals used to make the whole planet flame-retardant. What I learned shocked me. Like most chemicals, the stuff is showing up in our food supply and breastmilk, and is believed to be responsible for such maladies as impaired thyroid function and reproductive abnormalities. The EU has banned all PBDE's and just last month, the state of Washington did the same.

Now I was in a panic. Lu was due any day and we had this chemical concoction masquerading as a couch sitting square in our living room! What to do?

I tell you what I did--I returned it! Remarkably, we were given a full refund and just a few short days later, were the proud new owners of a sofa from IKEA.

I know--this story has so many shocking twists. But IKEA is so progressive on these issues! In their manufacturing, they follow the guidelines for chemical use as mandated by whichever country has issued the strictest requirements for that particular chemical. And so...?

That's right! There are NO PBDE's in their furniture! 

And with all that money refunded to us from buying a high-end sofa, we were able to buy a top of the line IKEA model, which, you know, helps...seeing how we're well past our college days and everything. And this time around, we bought white to symbolize a fresh, new start.

For everyone.

For more information on the hazard of PBDE's, click here: PBDE's No More 

Comments

[Dr. Heather]

Great Blog, I hope everything is going well with your little one!