PBDE
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PDBE, or polybrominated diphenyl ether is a flame-retardant of the brominated flame-retardant group rated as a Persistent Organic Pollutant. It’s mostly used in North America, and is partly banned in Europe. There are two sub-groups:
Low-rated PDBEs have 1-5 bromine atoms and are regarded as the most dangerous ones, because of the smaller molecules which can be absorbed by living organisms. Low-rated PDBEs have been known to affect hormone levels in the thyroid gland. Studies have linked them to reproductive and neurological risks at certain concentrations or higher.
High-rated PDBEs have more than 5 bromine atoms and were formerly regarded as environmentally harmless chemical compounds, but studies by the Swedish Environmental Board have linked them to thin egg shells for Peregrine falcons.
Penta-bromine diphenyl ether, octa-bromine diphenyl ether and deca-bromine diphenyl ether are the three most common PDBEs and also three out of the five most common brominated flame-retardants. Penta PDBE is rated environmentally harmful and injurious. Octa PDBE disturbs reproduction. Deca PDBE is rated safe by the European Union which has banned all goods with a concentration of penta or octa PDBE exceeding a certain level.
Some studies in Canada have found notable concentrations of PBDEs in common food products such as salmon, ground beef, butter, and cheese [1] (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20050214.wchemicals14/BNStory/specialScienceandHealth/). In Canada there is no set limit for what upper amount of PBDEs in the human body is still considered to be safe, but there remains concern in the general public that the PBDEs are having harmful effects on Canadian citizens.
Environmental organizations argue that all PDBEs should be banned as they aren’t needed. The industry do claim that PDBEs are applied to most newly manufactured electronics such as printed circuit boards and capacitors and thus vital to their business.
External links
- Environment and Science Technology article (http://pubs.acs.org/subscribe/journals/esthag-w/2001/dec/science/kb_pbde.html)
- About.com article (http://chemistry.about.com/cs/medical/a/aa102603a.htm)