Polybrominated diphenyl ethers

Last updated
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers
Polybrominated diphenyl ether.svg
Chemical structure of PBDEs
Identifiers
ECHA InfoCard 100.082.305 OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Properties
C 12 H 10−x Br x O
Molar mass Variable
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers or PBDEs, are a class of organobromine compounds that are used as flame retardants. Like other brominated flame retardants, PBDEs have been used in a wide array of products, including building materials, electronics, furnishings, motor vehicles, airplanes, plastics, polyurethane foams, [1] and textiles. They are structurally akin to polychlorinated diphenyl ethers (PCDEs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and other polyhalogenated compounds, consisting of two halogenated aromatic rings. PBDEs are classified according to the average number of bromine atoms in the molecule. The life-saving benefits of fire retardants led to their popularization. Standards for mass transit vehicles continues to increase as of 2021. [2] : 1–26 

Contents

Because of their toxicity and persistence, all commercially relevant PBDEs have been marked for elimination under the Stockholm Convention, a treaty to control and phase out major persistent organic pollutants (POPs). [3] [4]

Classes of PBDEs

The family of PBDEs consists of 209 possible substances, which are called congeners (PBDE = C12H(10−x)BrxO (x = 1, 2, ..., 10 = m + n)). The number of isomers for mono-, di-, tri-, tetra-, penta-, hexa-, hepta-, octa-, nona-, and decabromodiphenyl ethers are 3, 12, 24, 42, 46, 42, 24, 12, 3 and 1, respectively. [5]

Lower-brominated PBDEs with 1–4 bromine atoms per molecule are regarded as more dangerous because they more efficiently bioaccumulate. They have been known to affect thyroid hormone levels, and studies have linked them to reproductive and neurological risks at certain concentrations or higher. [6] Higher-brominated PBDEs are less acutely dangerous but biotically and photochemically debrominate to lower-brominated congeners. [7]

numberformulanameCAS NumberInChIKey
PBDE-1C12H9BrO2-bromodiphenyl ether36563-47-0RRWFUWRLNIZICP-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-2C12H9BrO3-bromodiphenyl ether6876-00-2AHDAKFFMKLQPTD-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-3C12H9BrO4-bromodiphenyl ether101-55-3JDUYPUMQALQRCN-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-4C12H8Br2O2,2'-dibromodiphenyl ether51452-87-0JMSKYMHFNWGUJG-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-5C12H8Br2O2,3-dibromodiphenyl ether446254-14-4JTYRXXKXOULVAP-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-6C12H8Br2O2,3'-dibromodiphenyl ether147217-72-9GODQTPRKFHOLPH-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-7C12H8Br2O2,4-dibromodiphenyl ether171977-44-9JMCIHKKTRDLVCO-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-8C12H8Br2O2,4'-dibromodiphenyl ether147217-71-8RJQLQJZMLISKRJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-9C12H8Br2O2,5-dibromodiphenyl ether337513-66-3URDWJMUOJJSXAE-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-10C12H8Br2O2,6-dibromodiphenyl ether51930-04-2MUVDKHMQIZJFTC-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-11C12H8Br2O3,3'-dibromodiphenyl ether6903-63-5ALSVFJIXSNRBLE-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-12C12H8Br2O3,4-dibromodiphenyl ether189084-59-1SUUJFDKVPDCZQZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-13C12H8Br2O3,4'-dibromodiphenyl ether83694-71-7BGPOVBPKODCMMN-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-14C12H8Br2O3,5-dibromodiphenyl ether46438-88-4FOXBZJLXVUHYQZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-15C12H8Br2O4,4'-dibromodiphenyl ether2050-47-7YAWIAFUBXXPJMQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-16C12H7Br3O2,2',3-tribromodiphenyl ether147217-74-1VRNGWCVCSHJUEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-17C12H7Br3O2,2',4-tribromodiphenyl ether147217-75-2VYBFILXLBMWOLI-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-18C12H7Br3O2,2',5-tribromodiphenyl ether407606-55-7FAZLXBWRNJAGSV-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-19C12H7Br3O2,2',6-tribromodiphenyl ether147217-73-0YDFQHBRKURQGAH-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-20C12H7Br3O2,3,3'-tribromodiphenyl ether147217-76-3RQJUBSPXDSGLRB-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-21C12H7Br3O2,3,4-tribromodiphenyl ether337513-67-4RXWRVYYPLRPDOS-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-22C12H7Br3O2,3,4'-tribromodiphenyl ether446254-15-5WZHNIFQVNBINLF-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-23C12H7Br3O2,3,5-tribromodiphenyl ether446254-16-6XQHLKDAUZRXBGC-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-24C12H7Br3O2,3,6-tribromodiphenyl ether218304-36-0GFLRHBRMAZDOIG-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-25C12H7Br3O2,3',4-tribromodiphenyl ether147217-77-4AURKEOPYVUYTLO-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-26C12H7Br3O2,3',5-tribromodiphenyl ether337513-75-4VUOBKVBAFJQQDB-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-27C12H7Br3O2,3',6-tribromodiphenyl ether337513-53-8JUPZALSVNWJHII-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-28C12H7Br3O2,4,4'-tribromodiphenyl ether41318-75-6UPNBETHEXPIWQX-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-29C12H7Br3O2,4,5-tribromodiphenyl ether337513-56-1LTMKAFUXYKEDLR-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-30C12H7Br3O2,4,6-tribromodiphenyl ether155999-95-4TVZAPPGLBLTACB-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-31C12H7Br3O2,4',5-tribromodiphenyl ether65075-08-3PURZBWMLFRWRMG-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-32C12H7Br3O2,4',6-tribromodiphenyl ether189084-60-4TYDVYKIQSZGUMV-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-33C12H7Br3O2,3',4'-tribromodiphenyl ether49690-94-0BUQBQEYUVAKJQK-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-34C12H7Br3O2,3',5'-tribromodiphenyl ether446254-17-7XMNXHCHZIPYCNA-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-35C12H7Br3O3,3',4-tribromodiphenyl ether147217-80-9CDVYKQPKJYPWRO-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-36C12H7Br3O3,3',5-tribromodiphenyl ether147217-79-6XUKPJLVONRTECE-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-37C12H7Br3O3,4,4'-tribromodiphenyl ether147217-81-0YALAYFVVZFORPV-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-38C12H7Br3O3,4,5-tribromodiphenyl ether337513-54-9DPGVQKLGQZZLMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-39C12H7Br3O3,4',5-tribromodiphenyl ether407606-57-9UFFNOPDHJNQYKD-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-40C12H6Br4O2,2',3,3'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether337513-77-6SXSUUFZWSVMTRL-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-41C12H6Br4O2,2',3,4-tetrabromodiphenyl ether337513-68-5UAEBSKBXZAIRMX-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-42C12H6Br4O2,2',3,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether446254-18-8HQDQKPAHIDGGMH-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-43C12H6Br4O2,2',3,5-tetrabromodiphenyl ether446254-19-9LKMQHSYDVDIECC-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-44C12H6Br4O2,2',3,5'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether446254-20-2VBGBGTYMDIVKNK-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-45C12H6Br4O2,2',3,6-tetrabromodiphenyl ether446254-21-3VTFWUBIOZQCMQS-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-46C12H6Br4O2,2',3,6'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether446254-22-4GBUUKJRFSKCMTB-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-47C12H6Br4O2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether5436-43-1XYBSIYMGXVUVGY-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-48C12H6Br4O2,2',4,5-tetrabromodiphenyl ether337513-55-0FJGDNHOVDFREMP-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-49C12H6Br4O2,2',4,5'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether243982-82-3QWVDUBDYUPHNHY-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-50C12H6Br4O2,2',4,6-tetrabromodiphenyl ether446254-23-5FXUAKFRJBKFDSY-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-51C12H6Br4O2,2',4,6'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether189084-57-9WKBBBTLDLKYGBI-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-52C12H6Br4O2,2',5,5'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether446254-24-6CDTHXJORUCZHMD-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-53C12H6Br4O2,2',5,6'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether446254-25-7SDVQGIMOFXMKHR-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-54C12H6Br4O2,2',6,6'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether446254-26-8WCDCHQGVTZHVSO-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-55C12H6Br4O2,3,3',4-tetrabromodiphenyl ether446254-27-9VIHUMJGEWQPWOT-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-56C12H6Br4O2,3,3',4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether446254-28-0NFOIVCGFYJIYIB-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-57C12H6Br4O2,3,3',5-tetrabromodiphenyl ether337513-82-3CSIFWDKYUJLQEB-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-58C12H6Br4O2,3,3',5'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether446254-29-1SWOYBZHGPZIRHS-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-59C12H6Br4O2,3,3',6-tetrabromodiphenyl ether446254-30-4DMAMJZQQOWYEHT-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-60C12H6Br4O2,3,4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether446254-31-5ARERIMFZYPFJAV-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-61C12H6Br4O2,3,4,5-tetrabromodiphenyl ether446254-32-6NDRSXNBQWAOQPP-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-62C12H6Br4O2,3,4,6-tetrabromodiphenyl ether446254-33-7YIQYWYZZLOZVRM-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-63C12H6Br4O2,3,4',5-tetrabromodiphenyl ether446254-34-8HNICYXFGCWPYGC-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-64C12H6Br4O2,3,4',6-tetrabromodiphenyl ether446254-35-9LDCXVFJUWKKBNY-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-65C12H6Br4O2,3,5,6-tetrabromodiphenyl ether446254-36-0HPEUYVBOPJQVPN-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-66C12H6Br4O2,3',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether189084-61-5DHUMTYRHKMCVAG-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-67C12H6Br4O2,3',4,5-tetrabromodiphenyl ether446254-37-1OARGWSONVLGXQA-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-68C12H6Br4O2,3',4,5'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether446254-38-2UFWGRLCUOLLWAO-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-69C12H6Br4O2,3',4,6-tetrabromodiphenyl ether327185-09-1NHZNRCYNZJADTG-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-70C12H6Br4O2,3',4',5-tetrabromodiphenyl ether446254-39-3GHQMTYWQVJZWAR-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-71C12H6Br4O2,3',4',6-tetrabromodiphenyl ether189084-62-6COPAGYRSCJVION-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-72C12H6Br4O2,3',5,5'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether446254-40-6GBBNZKQTOOZGIS-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-73C12H6Br4O2,3',5',6-tetrabromodiphenyl ether446254-41-7WQFLVWXBCRJAQN-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-74C12H6Br4O2,4,4',5-tetrabromodiphenyl ether446254-42-8LXCFDVVDUVPAGR-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-75C12H6Br4O2,4,4',6-tetrabromodiphenyl ether189084-63-7BWCNKMFFUGBFGB-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-76C12H6Br4O2,3',4',5'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether446254-43-9NCSWBJSFVPJPPK-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-77C12H6Br4O3,3',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether93703-48-1RYGLOWMCGZHYRQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-78C12H6Br4O3,3',4,5-tetrabromodiphenyl ether446254-45-1HWOBLTZZSVXBOJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-79C12H6Br4O3,3',4,5'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether446254-48-4LELQGHJEUVRPEV-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-80C12H6Br4O3,3',5,5'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether103173-66-6HFIOZJQRZKNPKJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-81C12H6Br4O3,4,4',5-tetrabromodiphenyl ether446254-50-8ULFOIXCXIWHJDS-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-82C12H5Br5O2,2',3,3',4-pentabromodiphenyl ether327185-11-5RQMSPGJESCCPQX-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-83C12H5Br5O2,2',3,3',5-pentabromodiphenyl ether446254-51-9XAHYSNUYJLNDBX-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-84C12H5Br5O2,2',3,3',6-pentabromodiphenyl ether446254-52-0PPIZNRAVQHNLJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-85C12H5Br5O2,2',3,4,4'-pentabromodiphenyl ether182346-21-0DMLQSUZPTTUUDP-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-86C12H5Br5O2,2',3,4,5-pentabromodiphenyl ether446254-53-1YMVWYUWOUOQCQP-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-87C12H5Br5O2,2',3,4,5'-pentabromodiphenyl ether446254-54-2WKYQUGCIKNOXFW-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-88C12H5Br5O2,2',3,4,6-pentabromodiphenyl ether446254-55-3OPZUHBCVIZNZFB-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-89C12H5Br5O2,2',3,4,6'-pentabromodiphenyl ether446254-56-4XGFLJLJXVIMCNR-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-90C12H5Br5O2,2',3,4',5-pentabromodiphenyl ether446254-57-5BATFXMGTVIESIQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-91C12H5Br5O2,2',3,4',6-pentabromodiphenyl ether446254-58-6HWNJTZKDPNZUSO-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-92C12H5Br5O2,2',3,5,5'-pentabromodiphenyl ether446254-59-7QWSQOVAGRDRZLM-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-93C12H5Br5O2,2',3,5,6-pentabromodiphenyl ether446254-60-0BRTPVPJQMWLDNO-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-94C12H5Br5O2,2',3,5,6'-pentabromodiphenyl ether446254-61-1JOPASNJHCFYVHD-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-95C12H5Br5O2,2',3,5',6-pentabromodiphenyl ether446254-62-2BZDYRALIEYVMEP-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-96C12H5Br5O2,2',3,6,6'-pentabromodiphenyl ether446254-63-3ZFCJNRDWGBZUED-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-97C12H5Br5O2,2',3,4',5'-pentabromodiphenyl ether446254-64-4MAGYDGJRSCULJL-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-98C12H5Br5O2,2',3,4',6'-pentabromodiphenyl ether38463-82-0OCLWEJVGAUFXQU-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-99C12H5Br5O2,2',4,4',5-pentabromodiphenyl ether60348-60-9WHPVYXDFIXRKLN-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-100C12H5Br5O2,2',4,4',6-pentabromodiphenyl ether189084-64-8NSKIRYMHNFTRLR-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-101C12H5Br5O2,2',4,5,5'-pentabromodiphenyl ether446254-65-5QUZWDWNIWWAQDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-102C12H5Br5O2,2',4,5,6'-pentabromodiphenyl ether446254-66-6JHFMCUVMAIQWRI-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-103C12H5Br5O2,2',4,5',6-pentabromodiphenyl ether446254-67-7RJEMKRNASVHYKR-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-104C12H5Br5O2,2',4,6,6'-pentabromodiphenyl ether446254-68-8CRSCWEYUPUKHPI-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-105C12H5Br5O2,3,3',4,4'-pentabromodiphenyl ether373594-78-6LBPWAGZGYNOKAM-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-106C12H5Br5O2,3,3',4,5-pentabromodiphenyl ether446254-69-9KLQKWMYXEWUAFP-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-107C12H5Br5O2,3,3',4',5-pentabromodiphenyl ether446254-70-2OMGVAMFMRSETEG-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-108C12H5Br5O2,3,3',4,5'-pentabromodiphenyl ether446254-71-3VBKPKHVLHGOKOJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-109C12H5Br5O2,3,3',4,6-pentabromodiphenyl ether446254-72-4FXXXWTMLIQLDRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-110C12H5Br5O2,3,3',4',6-pentabromodiphenyl ether446254-73-5LESZGJVTZILBTK-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-111C12H5Br5O2,3,3',5,5'-pentabromodiphenyl ether446254-74-6PCHDCOXHJBWEPW-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-112C12H5Br5O2,3,3',5,6-pentabromodiphenyl ether446254-75-7MFBMNSFADPTAKZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-113C12H5Br5O2,3,3',5',6-pentabromodiphenyl ether446254-76-8OGZHLJXRGZFVLI-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-114C12H5Br5O2,3,4,4',5-pentabromodiphenyl ether446254-77-9SFNAUTSNWPPDSY-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-115C12H5Br5O2,3,4,4',6-pentabromodiphenyl ether446254-78-0BKTLDVXDOVSTEV-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-116C12H5Br5O2,3,4,5,6-pentabromodiphenyl ether189084-65-9ACRQLFSHISNWRY-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-117C12H5Br5O2,3,4',5,6-pentabromodiphenyl ether446254-79-1SOJBOGWFDBDWEG-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-118C12H5Br5O2,3',4,4',5-pentabromodiphenyl ether446254-80-4VTMFEPLDDHZBGI-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-119C12H5Br5O2,3',4,4',6-pentabromodiphenyl ether189084-66-0KXEOYBYEJCRPGB-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-120C12H5Br5O2,3',4,5,5'-pentabromodiphenyl ether417727-71-0AKSBEUHDCRZJAN-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-121C12H5Br5O2,3',4,5',6-pentabromodiphenyl ether446254-81-5GVGNVZBJVFDAAO-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-122C12H5Br5O2,3,3',4',5'-pentabromodiphenyl ether446254-82-6CDNHGSPFIUITTN-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-123C12H5Br5O2,3',4,4',5'-pentabromodiphenyl ether446254-83-7SBKMUEQNZNDYFW-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-124C12H5Br5O2,3',4',5,5'-pentabromodiphenyl ether446254-84-8FGHJTAAHIFEHLT-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-125C12H5Br5O2,3',4',5',6-pentabromodiphenyl ether446254-85-9SESXKFPOVUVGLR-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-126C12H5Br5O3,3',4,4',5-pentabromodiphenyl ether366791-32-4SJNIIWPIAVQNRK-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-127C12H5Br5O3,3',4,5,5'-pentabromodiphenyl ether446254-86-0RATMRXKBPDCKCZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-128C12H4Br6O2,2',3,3',4,4'-hexabromodiphenyl ether182677-28-7WFLVELCLEGVBIH-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-129C12H4Br6O2,2',3,3',4,5-hexabromodiphenyl ether446254-87-1PRNCVYAUCSGSOE-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-130C12H4Br6O2,2',3,3',4,5'-hexabromodiphenyl ether446254-88-2YURCHLXPAGSJHU-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-131C12H4Br6O2,2',3,3',4,6-hexabromodiphenyl ether446254-89-3MGKVPJFIGGBCBA-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-132C12H4Br6O2,2',3,3',4,6'-hexabromodiphenyl ether446254-90-6FFEKBOKDYRZGRV-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-133C12H4Br6O2,2',3,3',5,5'-hexabromodiphenyl ether446254-91-7XTBFPFHQPGZZJX-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-134C12H4Br6O2,2',3,3',5,6-hexabromodiphenyl ether446254-92-8MIBDGPWSGDWIQR-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-135C12H4Br6O2,2',3,3',5,6'-hexabromodiphenyl ether446254-93-9AMGHASDTWACNCS-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-136C12H4Br6O2,2',3,3',6,6'-hexabromodiphenyl ether446254-94-0NTWGDSLWLUPCDW-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-137C12H4Br6O2,2',3,4,4',5-hexabromodiphenyl ether446254-95-1HSTYYNPYXZYIAG-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-138C12H4Br6O2,2',3,4,4',5'-hexabromodiphenyl ether182677-30-1IZFQCEZFGCMHOM-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-139C12H4Br6O2,2',3,4,4',6-hexabromodiphenyl ether446254-96-2YESDYWNWEVPOLZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-140C12H4Br6O2,2',3,4,4',6'-hexabromodiphenyl ether243982-83-4FLRODCDHJZNIGA-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-141C12H4Br6O2,2',3,4,5,5'-hexabromodiphenyl ether446254-97-3XTXIYMGRRUJOIT-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-142C12H4Br6O2,2',3,4,5,6-hexabromodiphenyl ether446254-98-4LJDGJCNHVGGOFW-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-143C12H4Br6O2,2',3,4,5,6'-hexabromodiphenyl ether446254-99-5RQLZDUSZXOOBTM-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-144C12H4Br6O2,2',3,4,5',6-hexabromodiphenyl ether446255-00-1ZMSJCQOCTPYCQP-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-145C12H4Br6O2,2',3,4,6,6'-hexabromodiphenyl ether446255-01-2BTKLHMBWCRVCLC-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-146C12H4Br6O2,2',3,4',5,5'-hexabromodiphenyl ether446255-02-3HGXPYDNHBUCRTR-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-147C12H4Br6O2,2',3,4',5,6-hexabromodiphenyl ether116995-33-6OWBKWMDBTWHGHS-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-148C12H4Br6O2,2',3,4',5,6'-hexabromodiphenyl ether446255-03-4OJMHGSMSQZEBFH-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-149C12H4Br6O2,2',3,4',5',6-hexabromodiphenyl ether446255-04-5UJOUSZKYGGTPFQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-150C12H4Br6O2,2',3,4',6,6'-hexabromodiphenyl ether446255-05-6SQNOZOVDXXSLSG-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-151C12H4Br6O2,2',3,5,5',6-hexabromodiphenyl ether446255-06-7NGOQQUYCSISZMY-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-152C12H4Br6O2,2',3,5,6,6'-hexabromodiphenyl ether446255-07-8BYBJJARTBKUIJD-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-153C12H4Br6O2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexabromodiphenyl ether68631-49-2RZXIRSKYBISPGF-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-154C12H4Br6O2,2',4,4',5,6'-hexabromodiphenyl ether207122-15-4VHNPZYZQKWIWOD-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-155C12H4Br6O2,2',4,4',6,6'-hexabromodiphenyl ether35854-94-5HRSCBOSGEKXXSI-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-156C12H4Br6O2,3,3',4,4',5-hexabromodiphenyl ether405237-85-6JSDPCMJWYRDQEV-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-157C12H4Br6O2,3,3',4,4',5'-hexabromodiphenyl ether446255-08-9JUOAMVUIJQJZSZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-158C12H4Br6O2,3,3',4,4',6-hexabromodiphenyl ether446255-09-0KRYHHTVQOOJNHQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-159C12H4Br6O2,3,3',4,5,5'-hexabromodiphenyl ether446255-10-3IDYFFNCFLRCOPZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-160C12H4Br6O2,3,3',4,5,6-hexabromodiphenyl ether446255-11-4OCVOYHGOXIIONK-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-161C12H4Br6O2,3,3',4,5',6-hexabromodiphenyl ether446255-12-5WEYWRBBPPKSRGU-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-162C12H4Br6O2,3,3',4',5,5'-hexabromodiphenyl ether446255-13-6UKPNCLHMNJCGCJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-163C12H4Br6O2,3,3',4',5,6-hexabromodiphenyl ether446255-14-7NUEAHMLXQFHEJN-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-164C12H4Br6O2,3,3',4',5',6-hexabromodiphenyl ether446255-15-8UJVYVXIHTJOJBZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-165C12H4Br6O2,3,3',5,5',6-hexabromodiphenyl ether446255-16-9KXERERDGMTWBGZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-166C12H4Br6O2,3,4,4',5,6-hexabromodiphenyl ether189084-58-0KVYODBMKQYVNEK-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-167C12H4Br6O2,3',4,4',5,5'-hexabromodiphenyl ether446255-17-0NMUPLZRHSXJCJQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-168C12H4Br6O2,3',4,4',5',6-hexabromodiphenyl ether53551-87-4HWZAPXGFMVEGPW-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-169C12H4Br6O3,3',4,4',5,5'-hexabromodiphenyl ether446255-18-1JKFBMDHBJYKFKL-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-170C12H3Br7O2,2',3,3',4,4',5-heptabromodiphenyl ether327185-13-7DLPNCMQTNWLTHD-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-171C12H3Br7O2,2',3,3',4,4',6-heptabromodiphenyl ether446255-19-2FRMMMROUUPQUMZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-172C12H3Br7O2,2',3,3',4,5,5'-heptabromodiphenyl ether407606-59-1DSRRSKFMOJQETR-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-173C12H3Br7O2,2',3,3',4,5,6-heptabromodiphenyl ether446255-20-5NLBLNZDNOSSGPW-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-174C12H3Br7O2,2',3,3',4,5,6'-heptabromodiphenyl ether446255-21-6VUUWOHUOYUGBEO-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-175C12H3Br7O2,2',3,3',4,5',6-heptabromodiphenyl ether6255-22-7YATZWTXATDYQCK-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-176C12H3Br7O2,2',3,3',4,6,6'-heptabromodiphenyl ether407606-61-5SWUALKCOTZOSMY-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-177C12H3Br7O2,2',3,3',4,5',6'-heptabromodiphenyl ether446255-23-8ZHUHLPXIJIBQBJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-178C12H3Br7O2,2',3,3',5,5',6-heptabromodiphenyl ether446255-24-9UWUVZUPEEORCRG-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-179C12H3Br7O2,2',3,3',5,6,6'-heptabromodiphenyl ether446255-25-0COVXWWKOLMNRQE-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-180C12H3Br7O2,2',3,4,4',5,5'-heptabromodiphenyl ether446255-26-1STMBXVOJNOJRPZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-181C12H3Br7O2,2',3,4,4',5,6-heptabromodiphenyl ether189084-67-1GVNRIAPLVGNZPL-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-182C12H3Br7O2,2',3,4,4',5,6'-heptabromodiphenyl ether442690-45-1ZYHDTADADSNMLV-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-183C12H3Br7O2,2',3,4,4',5',6-heptabromodiphenyl ether207122-16-5ILPSCQCLBHQUEM-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-184C12H3Br7O2,2',3,4,4',6,6'-heptabromodiphenyl ether117948-63-7JHDCZVAQPRXHEL-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-185C12H3Br7O2,2',3,4,5,5',6-heptabromodiphenyl ether405237-86-7YRNMIFAQDSUFTR-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-186C12H3Br7O2,2',3,4,5,6,6'-heptabromodiphenyl ether446255-27-2WUFQDCMRKKDNSF-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-187C12H3Br7O2,2',3,4',5,5',6-heptabromodiphenyl ether446255-28-3RFZPXOBFDARWHV-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-188C12H3Br7O2,2',3,4',5,6,6'-heptabromodiphenyl ether116995-32-5YGYDHFDPVGAMTL-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-189C12H3Br7O2,3,3',4,4',5,5'-heptabromodiphenyl ether259087-35-9CQVLRTUESBMMJW-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-190C12H3Br7O2,3,3',4,4',5,6-heptabromodiphenyl ether189084-68-2OUEYHQIMJGHOQN-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-191C12H3Br7O2,3,3',4,4',5',6-heptabromodiphenyl ether446255-30-7BNBFKFHSIPERIM-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-192C12H3Br7O2,3,3',4,5,5',6-heptabromodiphenyl ether407578-53-4ABLZOLAUBUSUHT-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-193C12H3Br7O2,3,3',4',5,5',6-heptabromodiphenyl ether446255-34-1AUFJSWANTKXCFZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-194C12H2Br8O2,2',3,3',4,4',5,5'-octabromodiphenyl ether32536-52-0ORYGKUIDIMIRNN-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-195C12H2Br8O2,2',3,3',4,4',5,6-octabromodiphenyl ether446255-38-5GPQLSLKPHQEEOP-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-196C12H2Br8O2,2',3,3',4,4',5,6'-octabromodiphenyl ether446255-39-6IEWFKOVTVJNWFF-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-197C12H2Br8O2,2',3,3',4,4',6,6'-octabromodiphenyl ether117964-21-3AAFUUKPTSPVXJH-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-198C12H2Br8O2,2',3,3',4,5,5',6-octabromodiphenyl ether446255-42-1IBKRHVDFFHQOSC-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-199C12H2Br8O2,2',3,3',4,5,5',6'-octabromodiphenyl ether446255-43-2JNSLJYRXDGBNBE-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-200C12H2Br8O2,2',3,3',4,5,6,6'-octabromodiphenyl ether446255-46-5JWMXGEPFVCRXQR-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-201C12H2Br8O2,2',3,3',4,5',6,6'-octabromodiphenyl ether446255-50-1HQWFMMKREWXIGN-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-202C12H2Br8O2,2',3,3',5,5',6,6'-octabromodiphenyl ether67797-09-5AHNZLQAZTWRRDW-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-203C12H2Br8O2,2',3,4,4',5,5',6-octabromodiphenyl ether337513-72-1RTUZOQFRIPIWPS-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-204C12H2Br8O2,2',3,4,4',5,6,6'-octabromodiphenyl ether446255-54-5YZABCBOJTHQTSX-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-205C12H2Br8O2,3,3',4,4',5,5',6-octabromodiphenyl ether446255-56-7CVMKCYDBEYHNBM-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-206C12HBr9O2,2',3,3',4,4',5,5',6-nonabromodiphenyl ether63387-28-0CYRHBNRLQMLULE-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-207C12HBr9O2,2',3,3',4,4',5,6,6'-nonabromodiphenyl ether437701-79-6IEEVDIAVLGLVOW-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-208C12HBr9O2,2',3,3',4,5,5',6,6'-nonabromodiphenyl ether437701-78-5ASGZXYIDLFWXID-UHFFFAOYSA-N
PBDE-209C12Br10Odecabromodiphenyl ether1163-19-5WHHGLZMJPXIBIX-UHFFFAOYSA-N

Production

PBDEs were produced commercially via the bromination of diphenyl ether, [8] with three technical-grade mixtures being sold, varying by degree of bromination.

In the United States, PBDEs were marketed with the trade names DE-60F, DE-61, DE-62, and DE-71 applied to pentaBDE mixtures, DE-79 applied to octaBDE mixtures, and DE 83R and Saytex 102E applied to decaBDE mixtures. The available commercial PBDE products were not single compounds or even single congeners but rather mixtures of congeners.

Technical pentaBDE predominantly contained pentabromo derivatives (50–62%); however, the mixture also contained tetrabromides (24–38%) and hexabromides (4–8%), as well as traces of the tribromides (0–1%). Technical octaBDE was a mixture of homologs: hexa-, hepta-, octa-, nona-, and decabromides. Technical decaBDE was 97% decabromide, with small amounts of octa- and nonabromides. [7]

Commercial production of PBDEs began in the 1970s, [9] and continued until the early 2010s. Cumulative global production is estimated to have been 175 kt for pentaBDE, 130 kt for octaBDE, and 1600 kt for decaBDE. [10]

Health and environmental concerns

Exposure

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) can be released into the environment where they are used or produced, possibly entering air, water, soil or the human digestive system when consumed, inhaled or via the skin. [11] [12] Despite the banning and phase out of several forms of PBDEs, many consumer products still contain them in the 21st century, and represent potential exposure sources, including furniture and other consumer products containing polyurethane foam, appliances, pipes, plastics, and old electronic equipment. [11] [13]

Generally, governments have determined that PBDEs are not harmful to human health in the exposure amounts assessed. [11] [12] [14] Ingestion of house dust accounts for 80-90% of total PBDE exposure, while the remaining exposure occurs from food ingestion. [11] [12] PBDE-contaminated foods, particularly those high in fat content, such as fatty meats or fish, are possible sources of exposure. [11] In breastfeeding infants, breast milk may be an exposure source because PBDEs can be present in the mother and her milk. [11] Various other food items may contain PBDEs, including meat, meat products, dairy products, and seafood. [11] [14]

PBDEs have not been detected beyond trace levels in water. [11] In the environment, soils and sediments are the major deposits for PBDEs. [11] PBDEs can enter soil from discarded products, such as in landfills. As biosolids (sewage) may contain PBDEs, exposure from soils or farmlands that have been fertilized with biosolids may occur. [11] Wildlife may have exposure by consuming foods containing PBDEs, whereas organisms that live in sediments may be contaminated by PBDEs. [12]

Excretion

PBDEs and their metabolites are excreted mainly in the feces and some in the urine. [11] Owing to their deposition in body fat stores, some PBDEs remain in the body for many years, and may enter the bodies of unborn babies via the placenta. [11]

Research on health effects

Nothing certain has been established about the effects of PBDEs on human health. [11] [12] [14] Most information regarding toxicity of PBDEs and their metabolites is from early-stage animal studies. [14] Evidence for PBDE-mediated effects from human studies in systems other than the developing nervous system, such as in cancer development, is inconclusive or non-existent. [11] Particularly for the potential effects of PBDEs on the developing fetus, research has focused on the health status of mothers and gestational age of the infant. [15]

Sediment contamination

Increasing environmental concentrations and changing distributions of PBDEs in sediments of the Clyde River Estuary in Scotland, UK have been assessed. [16] Analysis of six sediment cores each of 1 m depth from Glasgow city to Greenock revealed that total concentrations increased toward the river bed surface (0–10 cm). Amounts of PBDE ranged from 1 to 2,645 µg/kg (dry wt. sediment) with a mean of 287 µg/kg (dry wt. sediment). [16] Down-core PBDE congener profiles showed that higher concentrations were due to elevated levels of BDE-209. The majority of the sediment records clearly showed a change from mainly lower molecular weight BDEs 47,99, 183, 153 at lower depths to BDE-209 near the surface, a change in congener and homologue group patterns that corresponds to the restrictions of penta- and octaBDE commercial mixtures under EU law in 2004–2006.

While biodegradation is not considered the main pathway for PBDEs, photolysis and pyrolysis can be of interest in studies of transformation of PBDEs. [17] [18]

Regulations of PBDEs

United States

In August, 2003, the State of California outlawed the sale of penta- and octaBDE and products containing them, effective January 1, 2008. [19] PBDEs are ubiquitous in the environment, and, according to the EPA, exposure may pose health risks. According to U.S. EPA's Integrated Risk Information System, evidence indicates that PBDEs may possess liver toxicity, thyroid toxicity, and neurodevelopmental toxicity. [20] [21] In June 2008, the U.S. EPA set a safe daily exposure level ranging from 0.1 to 7 μg/kg body weight per day for the four most common PBDE congeners. [20] [21] [22] [23] In April 2007, the legislature of the state of Washington passed a bill banning the use of PBDEs. [24] The State of Maine Department of Environmental Protection has restrictions on PBDEs, and in 2008, the legislature passed a bill phasing out the use of decaBDE. [25]

The U.S. importers and manufacturers of PBDEs withdrew pentaBDE and octaBDE from sale in 2004, and decaBDE from sale by the end of 2013. [7] : 10  [26] In November 2024, the EPA added decaBDE to the Toxic Substances Control Act to prohibit release into water during manufacturing, processing or distribution in commerce of decaBDE and decaBDE-containing products, and a phase-out of processing and distribution of wire and cable insulation containing decaDBE for nuclear power facilities. [27]

Canada

Since 2012, PBDEs are among chemicals prohibited from manufacture, use, sale, offer for sale or import, as regulated in the Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations of the 1999 Canadian Environmental Protection Act. [28] PBDEs are regarded in the regulation as "toxic to the environment and/or human health, are generally persistent, bioaccumulative, and/or inherently toxic." [28]

European Union

The European Union decided to ban the use of two classes of flame retardants, in particular, PBDEs and polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) in electric and electronic devices. [13] This ban was formalised in the RoHS Directive, and an upper limit of 1 g/kg for the sum of PBBs and PBDEs was set. In February 2009, the Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements released two certified reference materials to help analytical laboratories better detect these two classes of flame retardants. The reference materials were custom-made to contain all relevant PBDEs and PBBs at levels close to the legal limit. [13]

International

At an international level, in May 2009 the Parties of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) decided to list commercial pentaBDE and commercial octaBDE as POP substances. This listing is due to the properties of hexaBDE and heptaBDE, which are components of commercial octaBDE, and to the properties of tetraBDE and pentaBDE, which are the main components of commercial pentaBDE. [29] In 2017, it was decided to also list decaBDE. [4] [30]

Alternatives

Major decaBDE producers have switched to manufacturing decabromodiphenyl ethane, a structurally related compound that has also come under suspicion as an environmental pollutant. [2] : 21  Non-halogenated alternatives also exist. [2] [26]

Related Research Articles

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Flame retardants are a diverse group of chemicals that are added to manufactured materials, such as plastics and textiles, and surface finishes and coatings. Flame retardants are activated by the presence of an ignition source and prevent or slow the further development of flames by a variety of different physical and chemical mechanisms. They may be added as a copolymer during the polymerisation process, or later added to the polymer at a moulding or extrusion process or applied as a topical finish. Mineral flame retardants are typically additive, while organohalogen and organophosphorus compounds can be either reactive or additive.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Endocrine disruptor</span> Chemicals that can interfere with endocrine or hormonal systems

Endocrine disruptors, sometimes also referred to as hormonally active agents, endocrine disrupting chemicals, or endocrine disrupting compounds are chemicals that can interfere with endocrine systems. These disruptions can cause numerous adverse human health outcomes, including alterations in sperm quality and fertility; abnormalities in sex organs‚ endometriosis‚ early puberty‚ altered nervous system or immune function; certain cancers; respiratory problems; metabolic issues; diabetes, obesity, or cardiovascular problems; growth, neurological and learning disabilities, and more. Found in many household and industrial products, endocrine disruptors "interfere with the synthesis, secretion, transport, binding, action, or elimination of natural hormones in the body that are responsible for development, behavior, fertility, and maintenance of homeostasis ."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Organophosphate</span> Organic compounds with the structure O=P(OR)3

In organic chemistry, organophosphates are a class of organophosphorus compounds with the general structure O=P(OR)3, a central phosphate molecule with alkyl or aromatic substituents. They can be considered as esters of phosphoric acid. Organophosphates are best known for their use as pesticides.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Persistent organic pollutant</span> Organic compounds that are resistant to environmental degradation

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are organic compounds that are resistant to degradation through chemical, biological, and photolytic processes. They are toxic and adversely affect human health and the environment around the world. Because they can be transported by wind and water, most POPs generated in one country can and do affect people and wildlife far from where they are used and released.

Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are organobromine compounds that have an inhibitory effect on combustion chemistry and tend to reduce the flammability of products containing them. The brominated variety of commercialized chemical flame retardants comprise approximately 19.7% of the market. They are effective in plastics and textile applications like electronics, clothes, and furniture. 390,000 tons of brominated flame retardants were sold in 2011. This represents 19.7% of the flame retardants market.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Polybrominated biphenyl</span> Group of chemical compounds

Polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), also called brominated biphenyls or polybromobiphenyls, are a group of manufactured chemicals that consist of polyhalogenated derivatives of a biphenyl core. Their chlorine analogs are the PCBs. While once widely used commercially, PBBs are now controlled substances under the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive, which limits their use in electrical and electronic products sold in the EU.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Halogenated ether</span> Subcategory of ether used in anesthesiology

Halogenated ethers are a subcategory of ethers—organic chemicals that contain an oxygen atom connected to two alkyl groups or similar structures. An example of an ether is the solvent diethyl ether. Halogenated ethers differ from other ethers because there are one or more halogen atoms—fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or iodine—as substituents on the carbon groups.. Examples of commonly used halogenated ethers include isoflurane, sevofluorane and desflurane.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fire retardant</span> Substance reducing flammability

A fire retardant is a substance that is used to slow down or stop the spread of fire or reduce its intensity. This is commonly accomplished by chemical reactions that reduce the flammability of fuels or delay their combustion. Fire retardants may also cool the fuel through physical action or endothermic chemical reactions. Fire retardants are available as powder, to be mixed with water, as fire-fighting foams and fire-retardant gels. Fire retardants are also available as coatings or sprays to be applied to an object.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hexabromocyclododecane</span> Chemical compound

Hexabromocyclododecane is a brominated flame retardant. It consists of twelve carbon, eighteen hydrogen, and six bromine atoms tied to the ring. Its primary application is in extruded (XPS) and expanded (EPS) polystyrene foam used as thermal insulation in construction. Other uses are upholstered furniture, automobile interior textiles, car cushions and insulation blocks in trucks, packaging material, video cassette recorder housing, and electric and electronic equipment. According to UNEP, "HBCD is produced in China, Europe, Japan, and the USA. The last known current annual production is approximately 28,000 tonnes per year. The main share of the market volume is used in Europe and China". Due to its persistence, toxicity, and ecotoxicity, the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants decided in May 2013 to list hexabromocyclododecane in Annex A to the convention with specific exemptions for production and use in expanded polystyrene and extruded polystyrene in buildings. Because HBCD has 16 possible stereo-isomers with different biological activities, the substance poses a difficult problem for manufacture and regulation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Decabromodiphenyl ether</span> Chemical compound

Decabromodiphenyl ether is a brominated flame retardant which belongs to the group of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). It was commercialised in the 1970s and was initially thought to be safe, but is now recognised as a hazardous and persistent pollutant. It was added to Annex A of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants in 2017, which means that treaty members must take measures to eliminate its production and use. The plastics industry started switching to decabromodiphenyl ethane as an alternative in the 1990s, but this is now also coming under regulatory pressure due to concerns over human health.

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Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) is a brominated flame retardant. The compound is a white solid, although commercial samples appear yellow. It is one of the most common flame retardants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diphenyl ether</span> Chemical compound

Diphenyl ether is the organic compound with the formula (C6H5)2O. It is a colorless, low-melting solid. This, the simplest diaryl ether, has a variety of niche applications.

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Susan D. Shaw was an American environmental health scientist, marine toxicologist, explorer, ocean conservationist, and author. A Doctor of Public Health, she was a professor in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences at the School of Public Health at the State University of New York at Albany, and Founder/President of the Shaw Institute, a nonprofit scientific institution with a mission to improve human and ecological health through innovative science and strategic partnerships. Shaw is globally recognized for pioneering high-impact environmental research on ocean pollution, climate change, oil spills, and plastics that has fueled public policy over three decades. In 1983, with landscape photographer Ansel Adams, she published Overexposure, the first book to document the health hazards of photographic chemicals. Shaw is credited as the first scientist to show that brominated flame retardant chemicals used in consumer products have contaminated marine mammals and commercially important fish stocks in the northwest Atlantic Ocean. She became the first scientist to dive into the Gulf of Mexico oil slick following the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion to investigate the impacts of chemical dispersants used in response to the spill.

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Linda Silber Birnbaum is an American toxicologist, microbiologist and the former director of the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences, as well as the National Toxicology Program, positions she held from January 18, 2009 until October 3, 2019. She also serves as an adjunct professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Public Health and as a member of the editorial board of Environment International.

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The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Status and Trends (NS&T) Mussel Watch Program is a water contaminant monitoring program that started in 1986..The program was inspired by Dr. Ed Goldberg at Scripps Institute of Oceanography, but was conceived and designed at a workshop sponsored by NOAA, held at Battelle Ocean Sciences in 1984, and led by Dr. Paul D. Boehm. It is the longest running continuous contaminant monitoring program of its kind in the United States. Mussel Watch monitors the concentration of contaminants in bivalves and sediments in the coastal waters of the U.S., including the Great Lakes, to monitor bivalve health and by extension the health of their local and regional environment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Decabromodiphenyl ethane</span> Chemical compound

Decabromodiphenyl ethane is a chemical compound used as a brominated flame retardant. It was commercialised in the 1990s as an alternative for decabromodiphenyl ether, following safety concern over that compound. The two molecules are chemically very similar, which gives them a similar application profile. Decabromodiphenyl ethane is now also coming under regulatory pressure.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bis(2-ethylhexyl)tetrabromophthalate</span> Chemical compound

Bis(2-ethylhexyl)tetrabromophthalate (or TBPH), is a brominated phthalate derivative with the formula C24H34Br4O4 commonly used as a brominated flame retardant (BFR).

References

  1. ↑ Stapleton HM, Klosterhaus S, Keller A, Ferguson PL, van Bergen S, Cooper E, Webster TF, Blum A (2011). "Identification of flame retardants in polyurethane foam collected from baby products". Environ. Sci. Technol. 45 (12): 5323–31. Bibcode:2011EnST...45.5323S. doi:10.1021/es2007462. PMC   3113369 . PMID   21591615.
  2. 1 2 3 Beard, Adrian; Battenberg, Christian; Sutker, Burton J. (2021). "Flame Retardants". Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry. doi:10.1002/14356007.a11_123.pub2. ISBN   978-3-527-30385-4. S2CID   261178139.
  3. ↑ "Governments unite to step-up reduction on global DDT reliance and add nine new chemicals under international treaty" (Press release). Geneva: Secretariat of the Stockholm Convention. 8 May 2009. Archived from the original on 7 August 2023.
  4. 1 2 "C.N.766.2017.TREATIES-XXVII.15 (Depositary Notification) | Amendments to annexes A and C" (PDF). Stockholm Convention. United Nations. 18 December 2017. CN.766.2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 April 2018.
  5. ↑ Frank Rahman; et al. (2001). "Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants". Science of the Total Environment. 275 (1–3): 1–17. Bibcode:2001ScTEn.275....1R. doi:10.1016/s0048-9697(01)00852-x. PMID   11482396.
  6. ↑ Kellyn S. Betts (2001-12-07). "Rapidly rising PBDE levels in North America". Environmental Science & Technology. Archived from the original on 2002-11-07.
  7. 1 2 3 "Toxicological Profile for Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs)" (PDF). 22 March 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 August 2024. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
  8. ↑ Darnerud, P O; Eriksen, G S; Jóhannesson, T; Larsen, P B; Viluksela, M (2001). "Polybrominated diphenyl ethers: occurrence, dietary exposure, and toxicology". Environmental Health Perspectives . 109 (suppl 1): 49–68. doi:10.1289/ehp.01109s149. ISSN   0091-6765. PMC   1240542 . PMID   11250805.
  9. ↑ "Guidance for the inventory of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) listed under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (draft, revised Jan 2017)" (PDF). chm.pops.int. Secretariat of the Stockholm Convention. January 2017. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
  10. ↑ Abbasi, Golnoush; Li, Li; Breivik, Knut (4 June 2019). "Global Historical Stocks and Emissions of PBDEs". Environmental Science & Technology. 53 (11): 6330–6340. doi:10.1021/acs.est.8b07032. hdl: 11250/2611702 .
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 "Public Health Statement for PBDEs". Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 8 May 2017. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 "Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) - information sheet". Health Canada, Government of Canada. 14 September 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
  13. 1 2 3 "Brominated flame retardants". European Food Safety Authority. 23 October 2024. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
  14. 1 2 3 4 EFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (24 January 2024). "Update of the risk assessment of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in food". EFSA Journal. 22 (1): e8497. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2024.8497. PMC   10807361 .
  15. ↑ Wang Z, Zhang C, Williams PL, et al. (June 2022). "Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in early pregnancy and preterm birth: Findings from the NICHD Fetal Growth Studies". International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health. 243: 113978. doi:10.1016/j.ijheh.2022.113978. PMC   9302707 . PMID   35569252.
  16. 1 2 Vane, Christopher H.; Ma, Yun-Juan; Chen, She-Jun; Mai, Bi-Xian (2009). "Increasing polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) contamination in sediment cores from the inner Clyde Estuary, UK" (PDF). Environmental Geochemistry and Health. 32 (1): 13–21. doi:10.1007/s10653-009-9261-6. ISSN   0269-4042. PMID   19347590. S2CID   102768.
  17. ↑ Hutzinger O; Thoma, H.; et al. (1987). "Polybrominated dibenzodioxins and dibenzofurans". Chemosphere . 16 (8–9): 1877–1880. Bibcode:1987Chmsp..16.1877H. doi:10.1016/0045-6535(87)90181-0.
  18. ↑ Watanabe I; Kashimoto, Takashi; Tatsukawa, Ryo; et al. (1987). "Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in marine fish, shellfish and river sediments in Japan". Chemosphere . 16 (10–12): 2389–2396. Bibcode:1987Chmsp..16.2389W. doi:10.1016/0045-6535(87)90297-9.
  19. ↑ "BILL NUMBER: AB 302, An act to add Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 108920) to Part 3 of Division 104 of the Health and Safety Code, relating to toxic substances". www.leginfo.ca.gov.
  20. 1 2 US Environmental Protection Agency. Toxicological Profile for Decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209), Integrated Risk Information System, June 2008.
  21. 1 2 US Environmental Protection Agency. Toxicological Profile for 2,2',4,4',5-Pentabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-99), Integrated Risk Information System, June 2008.
  22. ↑ US Environmental Protection Agency. Toxicological Profile for 2,2',4,4'-Tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47), Integrated Risk Information System, June 2008.
  23. ↑ US Environmental Protection Agency. Toxicological Profile for 2,2',4,4',5,5'-Hexabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-153), Integrated Risk Information System, June 2008.
  24. ↑ "Chemical ban puts industry on the defensive." State of Washington bans use of PBDEs.
  25. ↑ "Restrictions on sale and distribution of brominated flame retardants". Maine Legislature. 1 January 2006. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  26. 1 2 "Partnership to Evaluate Flame Retardant Alternatives to DecaBDE". 31 January 2014. Archived from the original on 17 March 2015. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
  27. ↑ "Decabromodiphenyl Ether and Phenol, Isopropylated Phosphate (3:1); Revision to the Regulation of Persistent, Bioaccumulative, and Toxic Chemicals Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)". Federal Register, 40 CFR Part 751, Environmental Protection Agency. 19 November 2024. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  28. 1 2 "Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2012: frequently asked questions". Environment and Climate Change Canada, Government of Canada. 8 March 2022. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  29. ↑ House, Stockholm Convention Clearing. "Information on the 16 chemicals added to the Stockholm Convention".
  30. ↑ Sharkey, Martin; Harrad, Stuart; Abou-Elwafa Abdallah, Mohamed; Drage, Daniel S.; Berresheim, Harald (2020). "Phasing-out of legacy brominated flame retardants: The UNEP Stockholm Convention and other legislative action worldwide". Environment International. 144: 106041. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106041 . hdl: 10379/16242 . PMID   32822924.
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