Novel brominated flame retardants: A review of their analysis, environmental fate and behaviour

Organohalogen pollutants in surface particulates from workshop floors of four major e-waste recycling sites in China and implications for emission lists

“…The highest concentrations of PBDEs and OHFRs were found in particulates sampled from Guiyu, a region known for the dismantling of electronic devices and plastics. These results were expected because CPs were mostly used as extreme pressure additives in metal working fluids and as secondary PVC plasticizers (Bayen et al, 2006); PCBs were used primarily as stable fluid insulators in high-voltage electric transformers, capacitors and hydraulic lubricants (Erickson, 1997); and PBDEs and OHFRs were mainly used in plastic products and as additives in various polymeric materials (Covaci et al, 2011). Therefore, the differing applications of these OHPs may account for the observed discrepancies in OHP occurrence among the four e-waste sites.…”

“…Some OHPs, such as short-and medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs and MCCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), have been banned or restricted in some regions of the world because of their persistence and hazardous properties (Arnot et al, 2009;Betts, 2008). Nevertheless, more non-regulated OHPs, e.g., decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE), tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs), dechlorane plus (DP), hexabromobenzene (HBB), pentabromoethylbenzene (PBEB), 1,2-bis(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy)ethane (BTBPE), and pentabromotoluene (PBT), continue to be produced, and some are considered as alternatives for conventional OHPs, such as PBDEs (Covaci et al, 2011;Sverko et al, 2011). To date, the available data on these alternative OHPs indicate that these chemicals might also be persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (Covaci et al, 2011).…”

“…Nevertheless, more non-regulated OHPs, e.g., decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE), tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs), dechlorane plus (DP), hexabromobenzene (HBB), pentabromoethylbenzene (PBEB), 1,2-bis(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy)ethane (BTBPE), and pentabromotoluene (PBT), continue to be produced, and some are considered as alternatives for conventional OHPs, such as PBDEs (Covaci et al, 2011;Sverko et al, 2011). To date, the available data on these alternative OHPs indicate that these chemicals might also be persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (Covaci et al, 2011). Thus, the pollution status of OHPs in these hot spots (e-waste recycling sites) is particularly concerning.…”

Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers vs Alternate Brominated Flame Retardants and Dechloranes from East Asia to the Arctic

“…43 HBB was widely used in Japan with about 350 tons/year (2001) 44 and is additionally produced in China with 600 tons/year. 9 PBT is produced by the same factory with 600 tons/year, too, while the total global production volume ranges between 1000À5000 tons/year. 9 BTBPE, EHTBB, and TBPH are known to be produced in the U.S., 14,15 while it can be assumed that they are produced in Asian countries, too, caused by the increasing demand of flame retardants.…”

“…9 PBT is produced by the same factory with 600 tons/year, too, while the total global production volume ranges between 1000À5000 tons/year. 9 BTBPE, EHTBB, and TBPH are known to be produced in the U.S., 14,15 while it can be assumed that they are produced in Asian countries, too, caused by the increasing demand of flame retardants. Dechlorane Plus is produced in Huai'an, China, with an annual production of 300À1000 tons.…”