Mythbusting – Toxic Fire Retardants

[CHOMPERS]

This “myth” is fairly new and has really put the DIY community on high alert. The concern is that fire retardants in Polyester Poly-Fill (and like brands) and quilt batting will leach into tank water and is very toxic to fish.

Of course this sounds very plausible and makes good sense. However, many hobbyists have been using these materials without noticeable effects. To measure any effects, I used two freshly cleaned tanks. One was to serve as a control and the other as the test tank. I first set out to concentrate what would leach out of the quilt batting that I normally use. Low levels are already in use by hobbyists, so what we need to look at are the results of high concentrations. After all, if fire retardants are toxic then their effects should be apparent rather quickly at high concentrations. My test subjects were a single mosquito fish and a single baby apple snail. Snails are good water quality indicators. When conditions are excellent, they will stick out their antennae. When conditions decay, they keep their antennae retracted and try to stay in their shell. I ran the experiment for approximately three weeks, with the intention on going a full month.

 

[CHOMPERS]

On 7-02-08, I filled the test tank full with the quilt batting and let is soak for three days. At the end of the soak period I removed the batting and let the filter run overnight. The following morning, I transferred the mosquito fish and the snail from the control tank to the test tank. After the first day, the control tank snails were out and enjoying life; their antennae were out. The test tank snail was where I had placed it the day before and was inside its shell. Things were not looking good for the fire retardant. The mosquito fish was perfectly normal but only time would tell.

The following day I checked on the tanks again. To my surprise, the snail in the test tank had his antennae out and was cruising the glass. Further more, this was his behavior for several days in a row. The snails in the control tank had some off days while the test tank snail was vibrant.

Note that in the test tank above, that the bubbles do not break as quickly as those in the control tank to the right. This is either evidence of surfactants or the fire retardant.

 

[oscarluvr]

most quilt batting will not have fire retardant in it as it was found to be hazardous to infants and small children, i use quilt batting also it jus states on the bag that it is flammable.

 

[paulW]

Interesting experiment.. I have used similiar material in my tank for years and never had a problem, but I never thought to do an experiment like that.

 

[CHOMPERS]

Today 7-23-08, the snails in both tanks aren’t looking very well. They haven’t had a water change in almost a month. To keep the test valid, water changes are not allowed since there is no way to change the water without removing the fire retardant. However, the snails in both tanks are alive and in the same health. The mosquito fish in both tanks are also both healthy and doing well.

The following picture is from this morning. Note that the test tank still has the bubbles that take a long time to break.

 

[CHOMPERS]

Pictures of the tank inhabitants...

First the test tank.

 

[CHOMPERS]

And the control tank inhabitants (the pictures of the snails are pointless).

 

[CHOMPERS]

Here is a video confirming the fire retardant in the products. Originally I tested both Fiber-Fill and quilt batting. Both have fire retardant. It is evidenced by the resistance to catch fire and to extinguish when the source of flame is removed. When the polyester begins to burn, it is its own flame source (sounds counter productive, I know ). Any way, when it catches on fire, it is very easy to extinguish.

The quilt batting that had been soaked was easier to catch on fire. The unsoaked materials could tollerated the flame being waved over it before catching fire. The soaked material would quickly catch fire and hold flame after the source fire was removed.

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[CHOMPERS]

I am calling this one BUSTED...for now. In time, fire retardants can improve (for better or worse) and can change how fish respond in their presence. For this test, it was expected that obvious detrimental effects would be seen in the test tanks snail and fish. Since both are still alive and over all in good health, it shows that the toxicity of the fire retardant is either extremely low or nonexistant.

That's good news for us all.

 

[Dr Joe]

Is that algae I see in both tanks?

If you want to continue the experiment, take a large amount of fresh flame retardant coated poly-fil (like you soaked in the water), place it in a tank like you started with (dechlor'd water), & aerate. After a week add several gallons of used tank water, then leave it alone for several months. If algae starts to flourish (especially on the material) you have a winner. Shame you didn't have any tadpoles, their great for this sort of thing).

Well kind of... We still haven't proved it won't cause birth defects or long term illness', just that in short term, some life forms can tolerate it.

Under normal conditions with water changes and the small amount of material used, from your preliminary tests it seems we maybe ok.

Thanks for doing the test, documenting it and sharing.

A True MFK'er!

Dr Joe

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