Brominated flame retardant

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Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are organobromide compounds that have an inhibitory effect on the ignition of combustible organic materials. Of the commercialized chemical flame retardants, the brominated variety are most widely used. They are very effective in plastics and textile applications, e.g. electronics, clothes and furniture. BFRs are commonly used in electronic products as a means of reducing the flammability of the product.

Types of compounds

Many different BFRs are produced synthetically with widely varying chemical properties. There are several groups:[1]

Decabromodiphenyl ether (Deca-BDE or DeBDE) - In August 2012, the UK authorities proposed decabromodiphenyl ether (Deca-BDE or DeBDE) as a candidate for Authorisation under the EU‘s regulatory regime on chemicals, REACH.

Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD or HBCDD) is a ring consisting of twelve carbon atoms with six bromine atoms tied to the ring. The commercially used HBCD is in fact a mixture of different isomers. HBCD is toxic to water-living organisms. Studies carried out on a HBCD product that is no longer manufactured indicate that humans can develop allergy at skin contact.[citation needed] This is not the case anymore with the current HBCD-based products.

Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA or TBBP-A) is regarded as toxic to water environment.[citation needed] This flame retardant is mainly used in printed circuit boards, as a reactive. Since TBBPA is chemically bound to the resin of the printed circuit board, it is less easily released than the loosely applied mixtures in foams such that an EU risk assessment concluded in 2005 that TBBPA poses no risk to human health in that application.[citation needed]. However given the current state of waste disposal in the world, the BFRs are released into the environment and bioaccumulate. TBBPA is also used as an additive in acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).

Contents in plastics

Content of brominated flame retardants in different polymers:[2]

Polymer Content [%] Substances
Polystyrene foam 0.8–4 HBCD
High impact polystyrene 11–15 DecaBDE, brominated polystyrene
Epoxy resin 0-0.1 TBBPA
Polyamides 13–16 DecaBDE, brominated polystyrene
Polyolefins 5–8 DecaBDE, propylene dibromo styrene
Polyurethanes n/a No brominated FR available
Polyterephthalate 8–11 Brominated polystyrene
Unsaturated polyesters 13–28 TBBPA
Polycarbonate 4–6 Brominated polystyrene
Styrene copolymers 12–15 Brominated polystyrene

Production

Bromine based flame retardants are applied to 2.5 million tons of polymers annually, with the annual consumption of PBDEs being in excess of 40,000 metric tons. North American industry used about 34,000 metric tons of PBDEs in 1999, making it the largest user of these additives globally;[3] however, a significant proportion of the flame-retarded products manufactured in North America is destined for international markets.

Types of applications

The electronics industry accounts for the greatest consumption of BFRs. In computers, BFRs are used in four main applications: in printed circuit boards, in components such as connectors, in plastic covers, and in cables. BFRs are also used in a multitude of products, including, but not exclusively, plastic covers of television sets, carpets, pillows, paints, upholstery, and domestic kitchen appliances.

Testing for BFR in plastics

Until recently testing for BFR has been cumbersome. Cycle time, cost and level of expertise required for the test engineer has precluded the implementation of any screening of plastic components in a manufacturing or in a product qualification/validation environment.

Recently, with the introduction of a new analytical instrument IA-Mass, screening of plastic material alongside a manufacturing line became possible. A five minute detection cycle and a 20 minute quantification cycle is available to test and to qualify plastic parts as they reach the assembly line. IA-Mass identifies the presence of bromine (PBB, PBDE, and some others), but cannot characterize all the BFRs present in the plastic matrix.

In February 2009, the Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM) released two certified reference materials (CRMs) to help analytical laboratories better detect two classes of flame retardants, namely polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs). The two reference materials were custom made to contain all relevant PBDEs and PBBs at levels close to the legal limit set out in the RoHS Directive of 1 g/kg for the sum of PBBs and PBDEs.

Environmental and safety issues

Many brominated chemicals are coming under increasing criticism in their use in household furnishings and where children would come into contact with them. Some believe the chemicals, including PBDE could have harmful effects on humans and animals. Increasing concern has prompted some European countries to ban some of them, following the precautionary principle more common in Europe.[4] They are lipophilic and bioaccumulative. BFRs have been found in people all over the world.[5]

Brominated flame retardants are persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic to both humans and the environment and are suspected of causing neurobehavioral effects and endocrine disruption.[6][7]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Michael J. Dagani, Henry J. Barda, Theodore J. Benya, David C. Sanders “Bromine Compounds” Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry 2002, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim. doi:10.1002/14356007.a04_405
  2. ↑ Pedro Arias (2001): Brominated flame retardants – an overview. The Second International Workshop on Brominated Flame Retardants, Stockholm
  3. ↑ BSEF, http://www.bsef.com
  4. ↑ Stiffler, Lisa (March 28, 2007). "PBDEs: They are everywhere, they accumulate and they spread". Seattle Post Intelligencer. 
  5. ↑ Kim Hooper ,Jianwen She (2003). "Lessons from the Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs): Precautionary Principle, Primary Prevention, and the Value of Community-Based Body-Burden Monitoring Using Breast Milk". Environmental Health Perspectives 111 (1). 
  6. ↑
  7. ↑

Further reading

  • Kyle D'Silva, Alwyn Fernandes and Martin Rose (2004). "Brominated Organic Micropollutants—Igniting the Flame Retardant Issue". Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology 34 (2): 141–207. doi:10.1080/10643380490430672. 
  • Law, Robin J.; Kohler, Martin; Heeb, Norbert V.; Gerecke, Andreas C.; Schmid, Peter; Voorspoels, Stefan; Covaci, Adrian; Becher, Georg; Janak, Karel (2005). "Hexabromocyclododecane Challenges Scientists and Regulators". Environmental Science & Technology 39 (13): 281A. doi:10.1021/es053302f. 
  • Cynthia A. de Wit (2002). "An overview of brominated flame retardants in the environment". Chemosphere 46 (5): 583–624. doi:10.1016/S0045-6535(01)00225-9. PMID 11999784. 

External links

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