Brominated flame-retardant
From Biocrawler, the free encyclopedia.
Brominated flame-retardants are produced synthetically in ca 70 variants with very varying chemical properties. There are several groups:
- polybrominated diphenyl ether or PDBE,
- brominated bisphenyl,
- brominated cyclohydrocarbons
Brominated flame retardants replaced PCB as the major chemical flame retardant in 1978 and are an effective flame-retardant. They are applied to prevent electronics, clothes and furniture from taking fire. Most brominated flame-retardants are considered Persistent Organic Pullutants known to bioaccumulate and their consequences are not well-known. Environmental consequences of the PDBEs can be found at the PDBE page.
Hexabromine cyclodecane (HBCDD) is a ring consisting of ten carbon atoms with six bromine atoms tied to the ring. HBCDD is very poisonous to water-living organisms and can cause harmful long-term effects in water environments. Humans can develop allergy at skin contact.
Tetra bromine bisphenol A (TBBP A) is regarded very poisonous to water-living organisms and very persistent.
