Brominated flame retardants lately are under intense scrutiny
because research has shown that they are building up in people's
bodies, including breast milk, around the world. Designed to
slow the spread of flames, they are added to polystyrene foam
cushions used in upholstered furniture and children's products,
as well as plastics used in electronics. Research in animals as
well as some human studies have found links to impaired
neurological development, reduced fertility, early onset of
puberty and altered thyroid hormones. BVO may not be in use
today as a flame retardant in furniture foam, but patents in
Europe — granted earlier this year to Dow Global
Technologies—and in the United States —granted in 1967 to
Koppers Inc.—keep that possibility alive. "There are some
concerns [about BVO] because people are worried that maybe it
has the behavior, [and] potential health effects similar to
brominated flame retardants," said Heather Stapleton, an
environmental chemist at Duke University who specializes in
study