Decabromodiphenyl Ether (Deca-BDE) April 2008 egislation in the 2007 session PBDEs are commercially available in three directed the Minnesota Pollution formulations: Deca-BDE, Octa-BDE and L Control Agency to report to the Penta-BDE. In 2004, the sole U.S. 2008 Legislature on Decabromodiphenyl manufacturer of Octa- and Penta-BDE Ether (Deca-BDE). Deca-BDE is a high voluntarily ceased production of these use bromine-based flame retardant that is products. Shortly thereafter, several states added to a variety of consumer and and the European Union banned further use commercial products to improve fire of Penta- and Octa-BDE, with Minnesota resistance. Deca-BDE’s high rate of use taking similar action in 2007. Deca-BDE around the world and its potential effects continues to be widely used, although on human health and the environment has Washington and Maine have taken steps to led several states to consider banning or begin phasing it out. At a glance limiting its use. This fact sheet ¾ Deca-BDE is one summarizes highlights from the report Deca-BDE’s primary use is in the plastic of several submitted to the Legislature on January 15, enclosures of television sets. It is also used bromine-based 2008. in commercial textiles and upholstery, and in a multitude of small parts and wire flame retardants What is Deca-BDE and why is it a called PBDEs. coatings used in the electronics, concern? communications, and transportation ¾ PBDEs are found industries. everywhere in Deca-BDE belongs to a series of chemicals the environment, known as polybrominated diphenyl ethers What risks does Deca-BDE pose to and their (PBDEs). In use since the 1960s, PBDEs human health and the concentrations are now ubiquitous in the environment. environment? are increasing. They are found in indoor and outdoor air, house and office dust, rivers, lakes and Most scientific research on PBDEs has ¾ Deca-BDE can sediments, sewage sludge, and in remote concerned Penta- and Octa-BDE. have toxic arctic regions. They are in crops and Scientists did not originally think Deca- effects on animals, including fish, birds, terrestrial BDE posed much risk to wildlife and animals and can and marine mammals, and people. people because of its large molecular size; break down into for this reason, early studies of PBDEs more toxic Interest in PBDEs was sparked in 1999 often did not include Deca-BDE. PBDEs. after a study showed that PBDE ¾ Many scientists concentrations in the breast milk of Recent studies of Deca-BDE show that: feel there are mothers in Sweden increased exponentially • Deca-BDE is found at higher safer between 1972 and 1999, doubling almost concentrations than other PBDEs in alternatives. every five years. Subsequent studies house dust, sediments, and sewage showed a similar trend of rapidly sludge, but at lower concentrations in increasing PBDE concentrations in the human tissue compared to other U.S. population. In the U.S., however, the PBDEs. concentrations detected are about 10 times higher than in Sweden. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency • 520 Lafayette Rd. N., St. Paul, MN 55155-4194 • www.pca.state.mn.us 651-296-6300 • 800-657-3864 • TTY 651-282-5332 or 800-657-3864 • Available in alternative formats • Deca-BDE concentrations in the environment are Are safer and effective alternatives to Deca- increasing. BDE available? • Deca-BDE can break down into other, more toxic Many stakeholders have expressed concern about the PBDE molecules once released into the potential health and environmental risks posed by the environment. This finding is important to the alternatives that would replace Deca-BDE if it is banned. overall evaluation of risk posed by Deca-BDE and This is an area of uncertainty because less research has its effects on wildlife and humans. been conducted on the environmental behavior and • Toxic effects associated with exposure to Deca-BDE toxicology of likely alternatives. in laboratory animal studies include liver, thyroid, reproductive, developmental, and neurological Potential alternatives from the halogen-based group of effects. flame retardants include other bromine- and chlorine- based chemicals that are similar to PBDEs. Many While more research is needed to fill data gaps and scientists believe halogenated alternatives should not be improve our understanding of Deca’s possible effects, considered safer than Deca-BDE, because of their the fact that it can break down to more harmful PBDEs similarity to Deca and the likelihood that these is cited by many scientists and environmental advocates chemicals will also prove to be persistent, as substantial cause for concern. bioaccumulative and toxic in the environment. How would a ban on Deca-BDE affect fire Potential non-halogenated alternatives to Deca-BDE safety? include phosphorus- and magnesium-based flame In the U.S. and around the world, fire safety regulations retardants. The non-halogenated alternatives are require that manufacturers meet flammability standards generally thought to be less toxic, persistent and set up by federal and state regulatory agencies. bioaccumulative than the halogenated alternatives. Manufacturers can meet the flammability standards in Several state-sponsored studies conclude that certain several different ways, including: non-halogenated flame retardants represent safer alternatives to Deca-BDE. • using chemical flame retardants (Deca-BDE or alternatives) What is the cost associated with Deca-BDE • using inherently non-flammable materials in the alternatives? products Advocacy groups and state-sponsored studies have • redesigning products to reduce flammability. found that the costs associated with phasing out Deca- BDE from TV enclosures and textiles are minor. Advocacy groups report that many television However, eliminating the use of Deca-BDE in small manufacturers are voluntarily moving away from using parts and wiring used by the medical-device and Deca-BDE, and that the textile industry is employing a transportation (including aerospace) industries does pose number of different approaches to achieve required a concern. This is primarily because of the highly flammability standards, most of which do not require use regulated nature of these industries and the extensive of chemical flame retardants. These voluntary actions product testing required by both regulatory agencies and demonstrate that a phase-out of Deca-BDE in the the manufacturers to certify their products. applications where it is used the most can be implemented without compromising fire safety. For more information For more information about Deca-BDE, contact Mike Sandusky, Director, Environmental Outcomes and Analysis Division, 651-296-7331 or [email protected]. 2008 Legislative Fact Sheet — Deca-BDE page 2 .