February 24, 2004

Media contacts:

• Elisa Murray

In February 2004, Sightline Institute , in partnership with Washington Toxics Coalition, released a report on levels of toxic flame retardants (PBDEs) found in the bodies of Puget Sound mothers. The analysis is the first set of results from a larger Sightline study on body burdens in northwesterners. We released the final report on PBDEs in the Northwest on September 29, 2004; please go here. And read more about our pollution monitoring project here.

The report found high levels of toxic flame retardants in every woman tested. Levels of the chemicals--called PBDEs, or polybrominated diphenyl ethers--were found in milk samples donated by nine Puget Sound women at levels 20 to 40 times higher than levels found in European and Japanese women. 

The report and press materials are posted below. 

• Download this report (registration required, pdf)
  

Press materials

• Press release: Toxic flame retardants found in Puget Sound women (pdf)
• Benefits of breastfeeding
• September 2004 report: PBDEs in the bodies of Northwest residents
• Sightline's pollution indicator