So how are so many old-style chemical flame retardants ending up in rivers?
The chart below focuses on 1 variety - polybrominated diphenyl ethers.
They were used in items like textiles, furniture, electronics, upholstery, car interiors.
Some are now in landfill, where they seep out in leachate.
Leana Hosea
Old style chemical flame retardants (CFRs), banned since the '90s on health grounds, are in almost every English river, according to analysis by @wclnews.bsky.social + @theriverstrust.bsky.social.
CFRs were above safe levels in all wildlife samples analysed by the NGOs.
