In an effort to identify possible substitutes for a toxic flame-retardant chemical, known as decabromodiphenyl ether (decaBDE), the EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Washington, D.C.; www.epa.gov) has released a draft report on alternatives. This assessment, developed with public participation under EPA’s Design for the Environment (DfE) program, profiles the environmental and human health hazards on 30 alternatives to decaBDE, which will be phased out of production by December 2013.
DecaBDE is a common flame retardant used in electronics, vehicles and building materials. It can cause adverse developmental effects, can persist in the environment and can bio-accumulate in people and animals. This technical assessment can help manufacturers identify alternatives to decaBDE. In addition, EPA will continue to work with manufacturers to investigate both chemical and non-chemical alternatives for flame retardants.
This draft report is the latest in a series of actions the agency is taking to address flame retardants made with bromine. Other actions include:
- The release of a Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) work plan of 18 chemicals that the agency intends to review and use to develop risk assessments in 2013 and 2014, including three flame-retardant chemicals. EPA is currently developing a strategy, scheduled for completion by the end of this year that will address these three and a broader set of flame-retardant chemicals. This effort will aid the agency in focusing risk assessments on those flame retardant chemicals that pose the greatest potential concerns. EPA anticipates initiating the risk assessments on this category of chemicals in 2013.
- EPA also proposed actions under TSCA that will require manufacturers, importers and processors of polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame-retardants to submit information to the agency for review before initiating any new uses of PBDEs after December 31, 2013. Those who continue to manufacture, import or process after that date, would be subject to a test requirement under TSCA.
- In 2009, EPA developed action plans on PBDEs (including pentaBDE, octaBDE and decaBDE) and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) that summarized available hazard, exposure and use information, outlined potential risks and identified the specific steps the agency is pursuing under the TSCA. The alternatives analysis for decaBDE was included in the action plan. The alternatives to decaBDE characterized in the report are already on the market and will be used increasingly as decaBDE is phased out.
EPA’s Design for the Environment Alternatives Assessment Program helps industries choose safer chemicals and offers a basis for informed decision-making by providing a detailed comparison of the potential public health and environmental impacts of chemical alternatives.
Additional information on the DfE Alternatives Assessment Program and the draft report can be found at www.epa.gov/dfe.
More information on other actions on brominated flame retardants can be found at www.epa.gov/oppt/existingchemicals/pubs/workplans.html#2013.