Oregon Public Broadcasting

A flame retardant suspected of being a threat to wildlife will be illegal in Oregon, under a law the governor signed Tuesday. Rob Manning has more.

Chemical companies have already phased out two flame retardants known as PBDE’s.

Some companies introduced a third type, believed to be less harmful, for use in CD cases and furniture, for instance. 

Now, that type - called “deca-B-D-E” - will be almost completely outlawed in Oregon, as well, come 2011.

Travis Williams with Willamette Riverkeeper says the problem is that deca-BDE can break down easily into the two dangerous forms as it leaches into creeks. Looking over the Willamette, Williams says the ban will help fish.

Travis Williams: “What we’ll have is one less chemical to worry about that could potentially bioaccumulate in fish that we have here in the Willamette River, on up the food chain to birds, like osprey, that we see in the nest over there, on the power pole.”

Williams says a similar Washington law approved two years ago, helped pass the new Oregon law.