Environmental Impacts: Assessing New Flame Retardants

Brominated flame retardants are chemical additives in plastics, electronics, and consumer products that have been added to reduce potential risk of fire. These chemicals have come under scrutiny over the past years as research indicates that they are finding their way into the environment and human systems. Specifically of concern are polybrominated biphenyls. These chemicals are chemically similar to products that have been found to bioaccumulate in the environment and have the potential for serious health impacts.

In 1976 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enacted the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA), which enables EPA to track and screen chemicals that may pose an environmental or human health hazard. The Act gives EPA the power to ban the manufacture and import of environmentally hazardous chemicals. As part of TSCA, EPA can require chemical manufacturers to perform certain analytical tests on compounds that the Agency believes pose a risk to human health or the environment.

Battelle recently developed an analytical method for a flame retardant compound, that included sampling procedures and analytical protocols. A second phase of that program focuses on generating the appropriate emission data for completion of the Pre-manufacture Notice (PMN), a requirement by EPA for new chemical submissions as part of TSCA requirements. EPA will use the data to assess the environmental and human health impacts of the chemicals.

Battelle’s unique capabilities in chemical analysis of both chlorinated and brominated dioxins and furans provide importers and domestic producers of these subject chemicals with valuable TSCA compliance services. Battelle has performed both chemical characterizations and incineration simulation studies for a variety of clients.

Study objectives include testing the environmental effects of new chemicals that commercial manufacturers would like to produce as flame retardants or other useful purposes. The chemicals are often subject to the dioxin test rule 40 CFR 766 and PMN requirements under TSCA that require testing of the chemical’s ability to generate brominated dioxins and furans upon disposal in waste incinerators.

Market forces have generated increased interest in brominated flame retardant alternatives. Battelle is playing a crucial role in helping important chemical manufacturers and importers satisfy EPA requirements and consumer demand for improved, safer, and healthier products.

For more information please contact Jeffery Ferg at (614) 424-5970, fergj@battelle.org.