Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

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Safety requirements for brominated flame retardants

 

Hello,

My company makes telescopic antennas for the audio/video industry. Recently, I have a safety enquiry whereby the customer wants me to declare whether my process have the following chemicals - PBBOS (PBBO,PBDO,PBDPO,PBDE,PBDPE)PBBS .I don't know what this is? Can some one help?

Thanks,

SK Cheah
- Hong Kong

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They are flame retardants for adding to polymers. Generally classed as environmentally harmful - and health hazards - if the polymer is actually burnt, and may now be banned in some countries.

Bill Reynolds [deceased]
consultant metallurgist - Ballarat, Victoria, Australia
We sadly relate the news that Bill passed away on Jan. 29, 2010.
 

Thanks, Bill. If I may ask another related question. Is this the same as Brominated fire retardent polymers?

SK Cheah
- Hong Kong
 

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It seems that, generally, they are bromine compounds.

A web search brought up one company's quality manual which includes the statement "No ozone-depleting chemicals or any polybrominated biphenyl and polybrominated biphenyl oxide chemicals (PBB, PBBO, PBBE) of any type or class are intentionally introduced into our processes".

Another site included the statement "However, the use of halogens as flame retardants also involves an environmental risk. Particularly brominated flame retardants, such as polybromo biphenyls (PBB) and polybromo diphenyloxides (PBDO) are highly persistent, carcinogenic and reproductive toxins. Moreover, they have effects on the immunity and the nervous system. In addition, halogenated flame-retardants may cause the generation of dioxins and furans when incinerated, two environmentally hazardous substances."

Just to confuse the issue, another one identified PBBO as 2-(4-biphenyl)-6-phenylbenzoxazole which seems not to contain bromine.

But overall it looks as though it is polybromo- type substances that are referred to.

Bill Reynolds [deceased]
consultant metallurgist - Ballarat, Victoria, Australia
We sadly relate the news that Bill passed away on Jan. 29, 2010.

Mr.Bill Reynolds- Thank you very much.

SK Cheah
- Hong Kong
 

It is my understanding that polybrominated biphenyls have been banned since 1974, at least in the U.S.; are they still being manufactured/used elsewhere and imported? Or are they still being manufactured in a slightly different form which has not been banned? It seems to me that using any of the halogens in organic chemicals would be asking for trouble, given their track record.

Anita Trenerry
- Smithers, B.C., Canada