http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/04/08/flame-retardant-whales/ Green and Natural Parenting for Eco-Friendly Families Thu, 24 May 2012 17:04:38 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/04/08/flame-retardant-whales/#comment-11233 Brandy Mon, 27 Apr 2009 05:10:29 +0000 http://ecochildsplay.com/?p=3548#comment-11233 Whatching your child has nothing to do with this. If you whatch your child eat raw chicken it does not mean that they wont get sick just cause you whatched them eat it. You shouldnt blame the whales for being contaminated, if WE THE PEOPLE didnt contaminate the water the whales would not be contaminated. Whatching your child has nothing to do with this. If you whatch your child eat raw chicken it does not mean that they wont get sick just cause you whatched them eat it. You shouldnt blame the whales for being contaminated, if WE THE PEOPLE didnt contaminate the water the whales would not be contaminated.

]]> http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/04/08/flame-retardant-whales/#comment-11235 PCL Thu, 09 Apr 2009 04:50:17 +0000 http://ecochildsplay.com/?p=3548#comment-11235 Environmental lobbying groups have been arguing against flame retardants for years. With some of these chemicals, I can understand their concern, but to use these as an excuse to weaken fire safety standards could be a mistake. In the EU, the argument was made that television technology has evolved to the point at which self extinguishing parts are no longer needed; in the long run, this argument makes no sense. Even in the short run, it has led to an increase in EU TV fires, which are almost unknown in the US. Some TV innovations (solid state components, lower voltages)have indeed made them safer, but others (color, rear projection) made them more dangerous, at least temporarily. The point is that not only TVs, but all electronic equipment is subject to relentless pressure to cram more and more features into smaller and smaller spaces; this has and will inevitably lead to fire risks. Environmentalists should be lobbing for more use of non-combustible materials (which need no added flame retardants and are usually more environmentally friendly) rather than the weakening of safety standards, which should remain strong for all electronic equipment. For other household items, like furniture and baby toys, the chemical risks are higher and the opportunities for the use of non-combustible materials are less available, so the case for strong fire safety standards is probably weaker. Nonetheless, consumers should be warned about both chemical and fire risks, so they can balance the costs and benefits based on their home environment. Environmental lobbying groups have been arguing against flame retardants for years. With some of these chemicals, I can understand their concern, but to use these as an excuse to weaken fire safety standards could be a mistake. In the EU, the argument was made that television technology has evolved to the point at which self extinguishing parts are no longer needed; in the long run, this argument makes no sense. Even in the short run, it has led to an increase in EU TV fires, which are almost unknown in the US. Some TV innovations (solid state components, lower voltages)have indeed made them safer, but others (color, rear projection) made them more dangerous, at least temporarily. The point is that not only TVs, but all electronic equipment is subject to relentless pressure to cram more and more features into smaller and smaller spaces; this has and will inevitably lead to fire risks. Environmentalists should be lobbing for more use of non-combustible materials (which need no added flame retardants and are usually more environmentally friendly) rather than the weakening of safety standards, which should remain strong for all electronic equipment. For other household items, like furniture and baby toys, the chemical risks are higher and the opportunities for the use of non-combustible materials are less available, so the case for strong fire safety standards is probably weaker. Nonetheless, consumers should be warned about both chemical and fire risks, so they can balance the costs and benefits based on their home environment.

]]> http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/04/08/flame-retardant-whales/#comment-11234 Never Mind the New York Times - Buy a Compact Fluorescent Lightbulb « Child Products Thu, 09 Apr 2009 01:48:21 +0000 http://ecochildsplay.com/?p=3548#comment-11234 [...] » See also: Flame Retardant Whales [...] [...] » See also: Flame Retardant Whales [...]

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