By Tilde Herrera
Published June 17, 2011
Used in furniture, electronics and building insulation, HFR can be found in nearly the entire U.S. population and is linked to lower IQs, cancer and infertility. This toxic resume earned HFR the People's Choice Award as Worst Chemical of the Year, in addition to an award in the Super Hot Mess category.
If you've never heard of the Toxies, the event is sort of like a satirical cross between the Oscars and the Razzies but for chemicals, created by several Los Angeles-area nonprofits last year to raise awareness of the toxic materials that pervade our world and the need for safer alternatives.
Bisphenol A took the top award last year when the event was more California-focused, said Ana Mascareñas, policy and communications coordinator for Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR), which leads the Toxies with Californians for a Healthy and Green Economy.
The awards received a ton of attention last year, leading the groups to expand the concept nationwide. This year's awards were livecast online last night, and satellite events took place far outside L.A., including Minnesota, Virginia and Australia.
http://www.greenbiz.com/news/2011/06/17/toxie-awards-name-flame-retardant-worst-chemical-year