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]

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

Since the 1990s, environmental concerns were raised because of the high hydrophobicity of PBDEs and their high resistance to degradation processes. In 1995 for example, it was found that Buffalo River fish (common carp) were contaminated with this compound and the tissue concentrations were ranged from 13.1–22.8 ng/g wet wt. [11] People are exposed to low levels of PBDEs through ingestion of food and by inhalation. PBDEs bioaccumulate in blood, breast milk, and fat tissues. Personnel associated with the manufacture of PBDE-containing products are exposed to highest levels of PBDEs. Bioaccumulation is of particular concern in such instances, especially for personnel in recycling and repair plants working on PBDE-containing products. People are also exposed to these chemicals in their domestic environment because of their prevalence in common household items. Studies in Canada have found significant concentrations of PBDEs in common foods such as salmon, ground beef, butter, and cheese. [12] PBDEs have also been found at high levels in indoor dust, sewage sludge, and effluents from wastewater treatment plants. Increasing PBDE levels have been detected in the blood of marine mammals such as harbor seals.

There is also growing concern that PBDEs share the environmental long life and bioaccumulation properties of polychlorinated dibenzodioxins. [13]

"With the exception of one small case-control study reporting possible associations between adipose PBDE concentrations and risk of pancreatic cancer, there is no evidence for carcinogenicity of PBDEs in human studies." [14]

Case studies

PBDEs have been shown to have hormone-disrupting effects, in particular, on estrogen and thyroid hormones [15] and can interfere with both metabolic and oncogenic pathways. [16] A 2009 animal study conducted by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) demonstrates that deiodination, active transport, sulfation, and glucuronidation may be involved in disruption of thyroid homeostasis after perinatal exposure to PBDEs during critical developmental time points in utero and shortly after birth. [17] The adverse effects on hepatic mechanism of thyroid hormone disruption during development have been shown to persist into adulthood.[ citation needed ] The EPA noted that PBDEs are particularly toxic to the developing brains of animals. [17] Peer-reviewed studies have shown that even a single dose administered to mice during development of the brain can cause permanent changes in behavior, including hyperactivity. [18]

Swedish scientists first reported substances related to pentaBDE were accumulating in human breast milk. [19] Studies by the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation found for the first time very high levels of more highly brominated PBDEs (BDE-209) in eggs of peregrine falcons. [20] Two forms of PBDEs, penta- and octaBDE, are no longer manufactured in the United States because of health and safety concerns. Based on a comprehensive risk assessment under the Existing Substances Regulation 793/93/EEC, the European Union has completely banned the use of penta- and octaBDE since 2004. [21] However, both chemicals are still found in furniture and foam items made before the phase-out was completed. The most common PBDEs used in electronics are decaBDE. DecaBDE is banned in Europe for this use and in some U.S. states. For PBDE, EPA has set reference dose of 7 micrograms per kilogram of body weight, which is "believed to be without appreciable effects". However, Linda Birnbaum, PhD, a senior toxicologist formerly with the EPA (now at NIEHS) notes concern: "What I see is another piece of evidence that supports the fact that levels of these chemicals in children appear to be higher than the levels in their parents; I think this study raises a red flag." [22] A previous study by the Environmental Working Group in 2003 published test results showing that the average level of fire-retardants in breast milk from 20 American mothers was 75 times higher than the average levels measured in Europe. [23]

Increasing levels of PBDEs in the environment may be responsible for the increasing incidence of feline hyperthyroidism. [24] A study in 2007 found PBDE levels in cats 20- to 100-fold greater than median levels in U.S. adults, although it was not adequately powered to establish an association between hyperthyroid cats and serum PBDE levels. [25] Subsequent studies have indeed found such an association. [26] [27] [28]

An experiment conducted at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in 2005 showed that the isotopic signature of methoxy-PBDEs found in whale blubber contained carbon-14, the naturally occurring radioactive isotope of carbon. Methoxy-PBDEs are produced by some marine species. [29] If the methoxy-PBDEs in the whale had come from artificial (human-made) sources, they would have contained only stable isotopes of carbon because virtually all PBDEs that are produced artificially use petroleum as the source of carbon; all carbon-14 would have long since completely decayed from that source. [30] The isotopic signatures of the PBDEs themselves were not evaluated. The carbon-14 may instead be in methoxy groups enzymatically added to man-made PBDEs.

A 2010 study found that children with higher concentrations of PBDE congeners 47, 99 and 100 in their umbilical cord blood at birth scored lower on tests of mental and physical development between the ages of one and six. Developmental effects were particularly evident at four years of age, when verbal and full IQ scores were reduced 5.5 to 8.0 points for those with the highest prenatal exposures after correcting for sex, ethnicity, tobacco smoke exposure, and mother's IQ. [31]

Sediment contamination

Increasing environmental concentrations and changing distributions of PBDEs in sediments of the Clyde River Estuary in Scotland, UK have been assessed. [32] 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). [32] 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. [33] [34]

Regulations of PBDEs

In August, 2003, the State of California outlawed the sale of penta- and octaBDE and products containing them, effective January 1, 2008. [35] 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. [36] [37] In June 2008, the U.S. EPA set a safe daily exposure level ranging from 0.1 to 7 ug per kg body weight per day for the four most common PBDE congeners. [38] [37] [39] [36] In April 2007, the legislature of the state of Washington passed a bill banning the use of PBDEs. [40] The State of Maine Department of Environmental Protection found that all PBDEs should be banned. [41] In May 2007, the legislature of the state of Maine passed a bill phasing out the use of decaPBDE. [42] The U.S. importers and manufacturers of PBDEs have now withdrawn them from sale, by the end of 2004 for pentaBDE and octaBDE, and by the end of 2013 for decaBDE. [7] [43]

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. 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.

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. [44] In 2017, it was decided to also list decaBDE. [4] [45]

Alternatives

Major decaBDE producers have switched to manufacturing decabromodiphenyl ethane, a structurally related compound that has also come under suspicion as an environmental pollutant. [46] Non-halogenated alternatives also exist. [46] [43]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Polychlorinated biphenyl</span> Highly carcinogenic chemical compounds

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are organochlorine compounds with the formula C12H10−xClx; they were once widely used in the manufacture of carbonless copy paper, as heat transfer fluids, and as dielectric and coolant fluids for electrical equipment. They are highly toxic and carcinogenic chemical compounds, formerly used in industrial and consumer electronic products, whose production was banned internationally by the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants in 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flame retardant</span> Substance applied to items to slow burning or delay ignition

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.

A bromide ion is the negatively charged form (Br) of the element bromine, a member of the halogens group on the periodic table. Most bromides are colorless. Bromides have many practical roles, being found in anticonvulsants, flame-retardant materials, and cell stains. Although uncommon, chronic toxicity from bromide can result in bromism, a syndrome with multiple neurological symptoms. Bromide toxicity can also cause a type of skin eruption, see potassium bromide. The bromide ion has an ionic radius of 196 pm.

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.

<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">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">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.

Pentabromodiphenyl ether is a brominated flame retardant which belongs to the group of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Because of their toxicity and persistence, their industrial production is to be eliminated under the Stockholm Convention, a treaty to control and phase out major persistent organic pollutants (POP).

Octabromodiphenyl ether is a brominated flame retardant which belongs to the group of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs).

<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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl)phosphate</span> Chemical compound

Tris(1,3-dichloroisopropyl)phosphate (TDCPP) is a chlorinated organophosphate. Organophosphate chemicals have a wide variety of applications and are used as flame retardants, pesticides, plasticizers, and nerve gases. TDCPP is structurally similar to several other organophosphate flame retardants, such as tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) and tris(chloropropyl)phosphate (TCPP). TDCPP and these other chlorinated organophosphate flame retardants are all sometimes referred to as "chlorinated tris".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Congener (chemistry)</span> Related substances

In chemistry, congeners are chemical substances "related to each other by origin, structure, or function".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Susan Shaw (conservationist)</span> American scientist, explorer, conservationist, author (1943–2022)

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Linda Birnbaum</span> American toxicologist

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.

The Shaw Institute, formerly the Marine & Environmental Research Institute, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit scientific research organization based in Blue Hill, Maine and New York City. The institute conducts research into ocean pollution, flame retardants, microplastics and plastic pollution, sentinel species and climate change.

<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).

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