Debate over plastic pallet fire retardants heats up
As more plastic pallets enter the shipper supply chain, the National Wooden Pallet and Container Association pointed up the potential health and environmental concerns associated with fire retardants used in the manufacturer of these plastic platforms.
Some plastic pallet makers have added the chemical fire retardant deca-bromine to ensure their pallets meet various fire safety regulations. However, the association noted that several recent studies, including those conducted by the American Chemical Society and the federal government’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, warn that fire retardant chemicals are increasingly showing up in the nation’s water supply.
“Scientific evidence strongly documents that these contaminants impact the food web and action is needed to reduce the threats posed to aquatic resources and human health,” said John Dunnigan, NOAA assistant administrator of the National Ocean Service, in an April 1 statement.
Deca-bromine is considered by the federal government and product manufacturers to be safest fire retardant chemical. Previously used fire retardants, such as penta-bromine and octa-bromine, have been banned for their negative health and environmental effects. Deca-bromine remains government-approved for household and workplace products, such as upholstery, carpet, drapery, television and computer cabinets, and electronic wire insulations.
A number of retail shippers have moved to all-plastic pallet pools in recent years, citing their own lists of safety and environmental concerns associated with wood pallets, such as cleanliness, damage and disposal.
Intelligent Global Pooling System (iGPS), a plastic pallet provider, has picked up a number of shippers since starting operations three years ago. Some shippers, such as PepsiCo and SC Johnson, want to eliminate wood pallets from all of their business operations.
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But the National Wooden Pallet and Container Association warned that shippers may reconsider their use of plastic pallets once they learn about the potential risks associated with pallets containing deca-bromine.
“We recognize that alternative materials each have their place, and competition breeds innovation and quality improvements,” said Bruce Scholnick, the association’s president, in a statement. “But if new technologies prove to be harmful or risky, it needs to be excluded from use. There are alternative fire retardants. Let’s face it, they may be more expensive, but what price does one put on human health and our environment?”
iGPS, specifically noted by the association for its use of deca-bromine, said its pallets are safety approved by Underwriters Laboratories and Factory Mutual. “UL or Factory Mutual wouldn’t approve a product that’s a carcinogen,” said Bob Moore, chief executive officer of iGPS.
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The company also had its pallets independently tested by Environ for product health and dust exposure, including deca-bromine, from aggressive warehouse use. The laboratory said in a statement that estimated exposures are “less than current regulatory or authoritative exposure limits.”
“We provide detailed reports to the risk management departments of our customers and they are fully aware of the contents of the pallet,” Moore said.
Moore added that the iGPS pallets are specially designed to “encapsulate” the deca-bromine and are kept out of landfills because they must be returned when broken for recycling and re-manufacture to iGPS’s pallet suppliers. ' Chris Gillis
