A Chemical World

At her last checkup, Minnie was put under watch for feline hyperthyroidism, an increasingly common disorder in older cats. So it was interesting to read of research that links this disease to ethers in flame retardants that are widely found in household dust and some canned pet food.

The article, in the August issue of Environmental Science & Technology is a bit dry reading. A more palatable summary was covered in the October issue of Pet Age, however, an online version of that article is not available. I will paraphrase from the article, as it is a bit easier to understand than the scientific underpinnings cited in ES&T.

The flame retardant underlying chemical is polybrominated diphenyl ether, or PBDE, and is very common in household products, including upholstered furniture, carpet padding, and electronics. In the 30 years that the chemical has been used in home products, the incidence of feline hyperthyroidism has also increased, and studies found "cats can have extraordinarily high concentrations of PBDE flame retardants in their blood."

To get us off the hook as bad housekeepers, the ES&T article shares the hypothesis that it's because of a cat's meticulous and continuous grooming habits that could be the reason for their high PBDE levels. They also see cats as "sentinels for both [human] exposure to PBDEs and examination of endocrine disruption."

The ASPCA gives a broader overview of this treatable disease and makes the following suggestions to help keep pets safe:

• Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter and change the filter regularly.
• Use an air conditioner with HEPA filter and change the filter regularly.
• Cover tears in upholstery that expose polyurethane foam, particularly if the foam is crumbling.
• Cover mattresses with tightly woven allergen barriers to reduce dust. Do not remove the mattress label, as it will tell if polyurethane foam was used.