What does PBDE mean?
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) belong to a class of chemicals that are added to certain manufactured products in order to reduce the chances that the products will catch on fire.
What type of toxin is PBDE?
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a class of recalcitrant and bioaccumulative halogenated compounds that have emerged as a major environmental pollutant.
What does polybrominated diphenyl ethers do to your body?
❖ Studies in rats and mice show that PBDEs cause neurotoxicity, developmental neurotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, thyroid toxicity, immunotoxicity, liver toxicity, pancreas effects (diabetes) and cancer (penta and decabromodiphenyl ether).
Where are PBDEs and PBBs used?
Finished products that may contain PBDEs are furniture foam padding; wire insulation; rugs, draperies, and upholstery; and plastic cabinets for televisions, personal computers, and small appliances.
Is DecaBDE a PBDE?
Bis(pentabromophenyl) ether (decaBDE) is one member of the family of the polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDE). It is used in in a broad range of plastic types and in textiles but uses in adhesives, sealants, coatings and inks are also reported.
Is PBDE a neurotoxin?
They are developmental neurotoxicants in animals. No human studies have assessed the developing neurotoxicity of PBDEs.
Is decaBDE a PBDE?
What is decaBDE used for?
Decabromodiphenyl ether (also known as decaBDE, deca-BDE, DBDE, and deca) is a flame retardant used to protect many products and materials from the risk of fire, including electronic equipment, furniture cushions, upholstery textiles, carpet backings, mattresses, vehicles, aircrafts and building materials.
Is PBDE banned in Australia?
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) were used intensively as flame retardants, worldwide. Commercial Penta- and Octa-PBDE mixtures were banned in Australia in 2005, while HBCDD was banned worldwide in 2013.
Is PBDE a carcinogen?
IARC has classified PBDE as a Group 3 carcinogen (not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans) based on inadequate evidence of carcinogenicity in humans and inadequate or limited evidence in experimental animals (IARC 2014).
When did EPA release final alternatives assessment for C-decaBDE?
January 29, 2014: Through its Design for the Environment program, EPA has released the final ” An Alternatives Assessment for the Flame Retardant Decabromodiphenyl Ether (DecaBDE). Read more. Initiate rulemaking to propose a simultaneous SNUR and test rule for c-decaBDE.
Why is the EPA so concerned about PBDEs?
PBDEs are used as flame retardants in a number of applications, including textiles, plastics, wire insulation, and automobiles. Why is EPA concerned about these chemicals? EPA is concerned that certain PBDE congeners are persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic to both humans and the environment.
Why was decaBDE included in the vccep program?
EPA has concerns with decaBDE’s hazards as well as its potential to be transformed to other PBDE congeners. DecaBDE was included in EPA’s Voluntary Children’s Chemical Evaluation Program (VCCEP), which identified a number of tests needed to better understand decaBDE’s potential for transformation. What action is EPA taking?
What is the TSCA test rule for PBDEs?
EPA proposed a PBDE SNUR and simultaneously proposed a TSCA section 4 test rule for c-pentaBDE, c-octaBDE, and c-decaBDE. The test rule would require development of information necessary to determine the effects of manufacturing, processing, or other activities involving these c-PBDEs on human health or the environment.