Public health advocates allege that the Environmental Protection Agency is manipulating safety data regarding TBBPA, a widely used and highly toxic flame retardant found in consumer goods and household dust across the United States. According to independent research cited by advocacy groups, combined exposure levels to the chemical may present a public danger, particularly to small children who frequently touch surfaces and ingest dust.
EPA Draft Risk Assessment Dismisses TBBPA Carcinogen Risks
International cancer organizations and European agencies have determined that TBBPA is, or is probably, a carcinogen. However, the EPA’s new draft risk assessment concludes the chemical is not carcinogenic at levels the agency suggests the public experiences. Public health groups assert that the agency reached this conclusion by employing an unusual scientific approach.
Maria Doa, a former EPA scientist now with the Environmental Defense Fund, stated that political people at the EPA changed the science to get the outcome they want. “This isn’t the first time,” Doa said regarding the administration’s handling of toxic chemicals. The draft assessment ultimately claims there is no unreasonable risk to consumers, suggesting no restrictions are necessary for TBBPA applications.
Did you know? TBBPA is a brominated flame retardant estimated to be present in roughly 70% of electronics worldwide, with at least 552m lbs produced globally in 2016 alone.
Widespread Consumer Exposure and Health Hazards
TBBPA easily breaks free from manufactured goods and accumulates in household dust. The chemical is applied to circuit boards and outer cases for electronics such as computers, phones, televisions, and kitchen appliances. It also appears in toothbrushes, children’s clothing, carpeting, leather goods, automobiles, airplanes, and various textiles.
Environmental research links the substance to hormone disruption, brain damage, immune system toxicity, and developmental harm affecting children’s nervous and reproductive systems. Arlene Blum, director of the Green Science Policy Institute, noted that infants and toddlers crawling in dust are especially vulnerable. “Small molecule TBBPA, as used in plastics and in consumer products, should be restricted,” Blum said.
Reliance on Industry Science and Disputed Exposure Data
Non-profit groups argue the EPA relied heavily on industry science that underestimates toxicity and human exposure pathways. Earthjustice senior attorney Lakendra Barajas pointed out that the EPA’s draft claims TBBPA is no longer widely used in children’s clothing, citing a claim from the American Chemistry Council (ACC). However, Barajas noted the trade group provided no supporting evidence, and a separate EPA assessment found the chemical in 96 types of children’s clothing, while Washington state records confirmed its use in items like pajamas and strollers.
| Source / Organization | Finding on TBBPA |
|---|---|
| International Agency for Research on Cancer | Classifies TBBPA as a probable carcinogen. |
| Earthjustice & Environmental Defense Fund | Allege EPA downplays exposure routes, including dust, food, and textiles. |
| American Chemistry Council & TERA | Provided industry-backed studies used by EPA to suggest low consumer risk. |
The EPA also utilized a 2015 study from Toxicology Excellence for Risk Assessment (Tera)—an organization that receives industry funding—to support its finding that dust levels present no risk to infants. Furthermore, critics point out that the Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals now includes industry-aligned appointments, such as Tera founder Michael Dourson, raising potential conflict of interest questions regarding peer review integrity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is TBBPA used for?
TBBPA is a brominated flame retardant applied to electronics casings, circuit boards, textiles, children’s clothing, carpeting, and various plastics.
Why are public health advocates criticizing the EPA’s risk assessment?
Advocates from organizations like Earthjustice and the Environmental Defense Fund allege the EPA relied on unsupported industry data, ignored key exposure pathways like household dust and textiles, and downplayed the chemical’s carcinogenicity.
Are there restrictions on TBBPA?
While international cancer organizations classify it as a probable carcinogen, the EPA’s current draft assessment suggests no restrictions are necessary for consumer goods, though public health groups are pushing back against the finding.
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