Pentabromodiphenyl ether

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Pentabromodiphenyl ether
IUPAC name 1,2,4-tribromo-5-(2,4-dibromophenoxy)
benzene
Other names PentaBDE, Penta-BDE, PeBDE
Identifiers
CAS number [32534-81-9]
PubChem 36159
Properties
Molecular formula C12H5Br5O
Molar mass 564.69 g/mol
Appearance amber solid
Solubility in water not soluble
Hazards
R-phrases R48/21/22, R50/53, R64
S-phrases S1/2, S36/37, S45, S60, S61
Related Compounds
Related polybrominated diphenyl ethers Decabromodiphenyl ether
Related compounds diphenylether
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for
materials in their standard state
(at 25 °C, 100 kPa)

Infobox disclaimer and references

Pentabromodiphenyl ether (PentaBDE) is a brominated flame retardant and belongs to the group of polybrominated diphenylethers.

[edit] Uses

PentaBDE is used in conjunction with antimony trioxide as a flame retardant in flexible and rigid polyurethane foam. There was also a use in printed circuit boards in Asia. The annual consumption worldwide was estimated as 7,500 tons in 2001, of which 150 tons were used by the European industry.[1] PentaBDE is a technical mixture of different congeners, with BDE-99 and BDE-47 as the most abundant. The European Union has carried out a comprehensive risk assessment under the Existing Substances Regulation 793/93/EEC. As a consequence, the EU has banned the use of PentaBDE since 2004. California has enacted a ban since June 2006. In 1986, the German industry has made a voluntary commitment not to use this substance.[2]

[edit] Relevance

PentaBDE is released by different processes into the environment. Elevated environmental concentrations can be found in the atmosphere, hydrosphere, soil, and sediments. It also occurs in sewage sludge and house dust.[3][4] In an investigation carried out by the WWF, PentaBDE was found in all blood samples of EU parliamentarians.[5] PentaBDE has been proposed for adding to the Stockholm Convention as this substance meets the criteria of persistence, bioaccumulation and toxicity, the so-called persistent organic pollutants.[6]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Bromine Science and Environmental Forum: Industrial demand in 2001
  2. ^ Alcock, R. E. and J. Busby (2006): Risk migration and scientific advance: The case of flame-retardant compounds. Risk Analysis 26(2): 369-381. PMID 16573627
  3. ^ Hale RC, La Guardia MJ, Harvey E, Gaylor MO, Mainor TM (2006): Brominated flame retardant concentrations and trends in abiotic media.. Chemosphere. 64(2):181-6. PMID 16434082
  4. ^ Uhl M, Hohenblum P, Scharf S, Trimbacher C (2004): Hausstaub – Ein Indikator für Innenraumbelastung. Umweltbundesamt, Austria.
  5. ^ WWF Detox Campaign (2004): Bad Blood? A Survey of Chemicals in the Blood of European Ministers
  6. ^ UNECE: Proposals for NEW POPs
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