Flame Retardant Chemicals

Since the birth of the modern chemical industry in the 1930s and 1940s, the use of synthetic chemicals has increased markedly. As a result, mixtures of chemicals appear in every environment on the planet exposing wildlife, pets, food, animals, and humans to a complex chemical "soup" which originates from materials both inside and outside the home.

To understand if chemicals affect animal health, we must determine which of the myriad chemicals people, pets, and wildlife are exposed to.

As part of Neighborhood Nestwatch, cardinal eggs will be collected. The eggs will be evaluated for chemicals that may have escaped from people's homes into the environment.

Pets will also be tested to see if they have been exposed to these chemicals indoors. For the first year of the study (2008), flame retardant chemicals found in fabrics, electronics and plastic materials, as well as common pesticides will be studied.