More than 150 species of wildlife around the world, ranging from belugas to butterflies, are at risk due to contamination from chemicals used in flame-retardant materials, a study said.
Research carried out by the Green Science Policy Institute found that these chemicals have reached wildlife across every continent, affecting species on land and in the oceans, such as killer whales, red pandas, and chimpanzees.
The research found that, despite their intended benefit of reducing flammability in various products, such as TVs and car fittings, these chemicals often migrate into the environment, affecting wildlife and humans detrimentally.
Lydia Jahl, who led the project, told The National: "In humans and in wildlife, flame retardants are associated with cancer, endocrine disruption, neurotoxicity, developmental impairment, decrease in immune function and more."
These pollutants include older chemicals that have been phased out, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), as well as their newer counterparts including chlorinated paraffins and organophosphate flame retardants.
These substances, even at low levels, are known to be harmful, causing severe health problems such as liver, thyroid, and kidney cancers in lab animals, and affecting IQ, attention, and memory in children.
"Flame retardants used in products such as electronics and textiles can travel through the air and through water and can be quite persistent, which is how they reach animals globally," Ms Jahl said.
"Many flame retardants are not bound to the product they are in and are semi-volatile, meaning they evaporate over time into the air and can repartition into dust and other materials."
Killer whales, among other marine life, bear the brunt of this contamination, with chemicals like PCBs, despite being banned since the 1970s, being linked to reduced calf survival rates and weakened immune systems.
Ms Jahl said: “Flame retardants don’t actually make TV enclosures and car interiors more fire-safe, but they can harm people and animals.”
The scientists' findings underscore the severity of the threat, projecting that PCB contamination could obliterate half of the world’s killer whale populations in the next century.
Arlene Blum, the executive director of the Green Science Policy Institute, said: “Killer whales shouldn’t have to swim in a sea of flame retardants.
“The science is clear that these chemicals harm their development – as well as that of our children.”
The research also pointed out the insidious presence of these chemicals in remote areas far removed from their production sites.
For instance, elevated levels of flame retardants have been detected in chimpanzees in a protected Ugandan National Park, highlighting the vast reach of these pollutants.
Ms Jahl also said there was need to revisit regulations, suggesting: “Instead of this endless cycle of regrettable substitutions, we need to evaluate whether many of the flammability standards that drive the use of flame retardants are even helpful.”
She told The National: "In some instances, flame retardants are required by standards where they are not helpful for fire safety and only expose people, the environment and animals to the flame retardants. An example of this is plastic enclosures around lithium ion batteries.
"What is important is that there are high standards for battery manufacturing to ensure the batteries are not damaged or faulty – once a battery catches fire, having a flame-retarded plastic enclosure around it will not stop the fire, it will only increase the amount of toxic smoke produced."
Neighbourhood Watch
Squads
Pakistan: Sarfaraz Ahmed (c), Babar Azam (vc), Abid Ali, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Hasnain, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan, Usman Shinwari, Wahab Riaz
Sri Lanka: Lahiru Thirimanne (c), Danushka Gunathilaka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Avishka Fernando, Oshada Fernando, Shehan Jayasuriya, Dasun Shanaka, Minod Bhanuka, Angelo Perera, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lakshan Sandakan, Nuwan Pradeep, Isuru Udana, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara
Tomorrow 2021
Explained
Transgender report
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RESULTS
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: JAP Almahfuz, Fernando Jara (jockey), Irfan Ellahi (trainer).
5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh90,000 1,400m
Winner: AF Momtaz, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi.
6pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 1,400m
Winner: Yaalail, Fernando Jara, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Championship Listed (PA) Dh180,000 1,600m
Winner: Ihtesham, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami.
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
Winner: Dahess D’Arabie, Fernando Jara, Helal Al Alawi.
7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 2.200m
Winner: Ezz Al Rawasi, Connor Beasley, Helal Al Alawi.
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SQUADS
Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmed (capt), Azhar Ali, Shan Masood, Sami Aslam, Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Usman Salahuddin, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Asghar, Bilal Asif, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas, Wahab Riaz
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Umpires: Ian Gould (ENG) and Nigel Llong (ENG)
TV umpire: Richard Kettleborough (ENG)
ICC match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM)
Tomorrow 2021
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Established: 2008
Prize money: $50,000 (Dh183,650) for winners and $10,000 for those on the shortlist.
Winning novels: 13
Shortlisted novels: 66
Longlisted novels: 111
Total number of novels submitted: 1,780
Novels translated internationally: 66
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La Mer lowdown
La Mer beach is open from 10am until midnight, daily, and is located in Jumeirah 1, well after Kite Beach. Some restaurants, like Cupagahwa, are open from 8am for breakfast; most others start at noon. At the time of writing, we noticed that signs for Vicolo, an Italian eatery, and Kaftan, a Turkish restaurant, indicated that these two restaurants will be open soon, most likely this month. Parking is available, as well as a Dh100 all-day valet option or a Dh50 valet service if you’re just stopping by for a few hours.
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'Avengers: Infinity War'
Dir: The Russo Brothers
Starring: Chris Evans, Chris Pratt, Tom Holland, Robert Downey Junior, Scarlett Johansson, Elizabeth Olsen
Four stars
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Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
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Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
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Price: From Dh825,900
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The%20specs%3A%20Panamera%20Turbo%20E-Hybrid
The%20specs%3A%202024%20Panamera
Kareem Shaheen on Canada
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Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
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Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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Command%20Z
How to apply for a drone permit
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- I would recommend writing out the text in the body
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A State of Passion
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Sand storm
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Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
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- 600-seat auditorium
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- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
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War on waste
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Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
LIVING IN...
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3/5 stars
