National  Ban on Flame Retardant Chemicals

March 9, 2010 – Over the past several months, the IAFF has been working with the chemical industry to structure a national withdrawal of the controversial brominated flame retardant, Decabromine, from the market.

“The IAFF is proud that we played a major role working with our congressional and administration allies and with the major manufacturers of flame retardant chemicals to ban Decabromine from the market by the end of 2013,” says IAFF General President Harold A. Schaitberger.

In state legislatures across the nation, IAFF affiliates have succeeded in passing legislation banning this product. The success of those efforts sparked negotiations between the IAFF, Chemtura, Albemarle and ICL-IP -- the three major manufacturers of Decabromine -- to discuss the prospects of an orderly nationwide withdrawal of Decabromine from the market. Subsequently, the industry and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) agreed to an expedited timetable that will ban the production and sale of the controversial product in only three years.

After the agreement with the EPA was announced, the IAFF Safety and Health and Government Affairs Divisions, along with a contingent of the leadership from of several state affiliates, met with representatives from the three manufactures for a frank discussion on this product and the next generation of flame retardant chemicals. The IAFF reiterated that it will steadfastly advocate for fire fighter health and safety and will speak out against any product that is injurious to its members. However, all parties agreed to engage in ongoing science-based dialogue to evaluate the effects of future products on fire fighters.

A consensus statement was developed to serve as a template to foster communications and structure a framework for a more open and cooperation relationship.

“I give credit where credit is due. We are pleased that the industry engaged in good faith negotiations to resolve the Deca issue and I look forward to having a seat at the table to discuss the next generation of flame retardant chemicals, “Schaitberger says.