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. This is the common definition for polybrominated diphenyl ether, other definitions can be discussed in the article

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. Since PBDEs tend to biomagnify, even more so than PCBs, highest concentrations have been measured in marine mammals, fish and sea birds. PBDEs are suspected to cause reproductive failures by causing estrogenic effects. These chemicals might also cause liver toxicity, thyroid toxicity, and neurodevelopmental toxicity.