PBDE
Definition of polybrominated diphenyl ether:
polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a particular class of flame retardant chemicals. These chemicals are often used as flame retardants in plastics for TV cabinets, consumer electronics, wire insulation, personal computers and small appliances. The benefit of these chemicals is their ability to slow ignition and rate of fire growth, and as a result increase available escape time in the event of a fire.
[1]
This is the common definition for polybrominated diphenyl ether, other definitions can be discussed in the article
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Notes
PBDEs are are widely utilized fire retardants, making up 5 to 30% of the weight of plastics. They are mixed into the plastic polymers and are not chemically bound to the plastic, which makes it easy for them to leach into the environment.
The are widespread in the environment, they are persistent and have been detected in tissues from animals from all marine environments. Like PCBs, PBDEs are strongly hydrophobic and therefore adsorb to particles and lipids causing them to biomagnify, even more so than PCBs. Therefore, the highest concentrations of PBDEs have been measured in marine mammals, fish and sea birds, making them the most vulnerable species for PBDE poisioning. PBDEs are suspected to cause reproductive failures by causing estrogenic effects, as well as cause liver toxicity, thyroid toxicity, and neurodevelopmental toxicity. [1] [2]
In Western countries a ban on the manufacturing of these products since 2005. [3] [4]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://www.epa.gov/oppt/pbde/
- ↑ Michael Martin, Paul K. S. Lam, Bruce J. Richardson, 2004, An Asian quandary: where have all of the PBDEs gone? Marine Pollution Bulletin, 49, 5-6, 375-382
- ↑ http://www.epa.gov/oppt/pbde/
- ↑ http://www.leas.ca/Europe-takes-lead-in-banning-PBDEs.htm
