Issue 39/2013 - EPA evaluates safe alternatives to the flame retardant hexabromocyclododecane

EPA evaluates safe alternatives to the flame retardant hexabromocyclododecane

The U.
S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published a draft
report on alternatives to the flame retardant hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD).
HBCD has persistence, bioaccumulation and toxicity properties
.

This draft Environmental Design (DfE) Alternatives Assessment Report identifies two viable HBCD alternatives for polystyrene building insulation, including butadiene-styrene brominated copolymer and tetrabromobisphenol A-dibrominated ether derivative, as well as a list of
alternatives that are not currently expected to be feasible.
Butadiene-styrene brominated copolymer is expected to be safer than HBCD and is currently commercially produced
in the United States.

In March, the EPA decided to conduct risk assessments for 20 flame retardants under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) work plan, four of which were subject to
"comprehensive risk assessments," including hexabromocyclododecane.

EPA expects to release the draft risk assessment to the public and peer review
in 2014.
(Pang Xiaohua)