
Fire retardant accumulating in Great Lakes sediment and fish Canadian Press \|\| January 16, 2006 An old chemical used as a fire-retardant coating for wires and computer cables has been found in Great Lakes sediment and game fish. The health effects of Dechlorane Plus on humans and aquatic life are unclear. Few studies have been done on the chemical, which went into production in 1964. It was discovered in sediment or air samples in four of the five Great Lakes - Michigan, Erie, Ontario and Superior - by researchers from the University of Indiana. It also was found in the tissue of walleye in Lake Erie, according to the university's research. Article Posted at www.KnowledgeDrivenRevolution.com Dechlorane Plus came out before regulations designed to screen out dangerous chemicals, and federal regulators say it was never rigorously tested. "This is an example of a relatively old compound that has apparently slipped under the regulatory radar and that is still currently being used without attracting public attention," wrote Ronald Hites, one of the Indiana researchers who found the chemical in the lakes. "This compound has not been detected in the environment before." Occidental Chemical Corp., one of the only manufacturers of Dechlorane Plus in the U.S., says it is safe for people and other animals. The company has no plans to test the product, made at a plant in Niagara Falls, N.Y., the Detroit Free Press reported Friday. About KDR \| \| Home \| \| Weekly Features Archive	Weekly Weekly Features Archive
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Fire retardant accumulating in Great Lakes sediment and fish

Canadian Press || January 16, 2006

An old chemical used as a fire-retardant coating for wires and computer cables has been found in Great Lakes sediment and game fish.

The health effects of Dechlorane Plus on humans and aquatic life are unclear.

Few studies have been done on the chemical, which went into production in 1964. It was discovered in sediment or air samples in four of the five Great Lakes - Michigan, Erie, Ontario and Superior - by researchers from the University of Indiana.

It also was found in the tissue of walleye in Lake Erie, according to the university's research.

Article Posted at www.KnowledgeDrivenRevolution.com

Dechlorane Plus came out before regulations designed to screen out dangerous chemicals, and federal regulators say it was never rigorously tested.

"This is an example of a relatively old compound that has apparently slipped under the regulatory radar and that is still currently being used without attracting public attention," wrote Ronald Hites, one of the Indiana researchers who found the chemical in the lakes.

"This compound has not been detected in the environment before."

Occidental Chemical Corp., one of the only manufacturers of Dechlorane Plus in the U.S., says it is safe for people and other animals. The company has no plans to test the product, made at a plant in Niagara Falls, N.Y., the Detroit Free Press reported Friday.

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