Polybrominated diphenyl ethers

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers

Chemical structure of PBDEs
Identifiers
ECHA InfoCard 100.082.305 Edit this at Wikidata
Properties
C12H10−xBrxO
Molar mass Variable
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers or PBDEs, are a class of organobromine compounds that are used as flame retardants. Like other brominated flame retardants, PBDEs have been used in a wide array of products, including building materials, electronics, furnishings, motor vehicles, airplanes, plastics, polyurethane foams,[1] and textiles. They are structurally akin to polychlorinated diphenyl ethers (PCDEs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and other polyhalogenated compounds, consisting of two halogenated aromatic rings. PBDEs are classified according to the average number of bromine atoms in the molecule. The life-saving benefits of fire retardants led to their popularization. Standards for mass transit vehicles continues to increase as of 2021.[2]

Because of their toxicity and persistence, all commercially relevant PBDEs have been marked for elimination under the Stockholm Convention, a treaty to control and phase out major persistent organic pollutants (POPs).[3][4]

  1. ^ Stapleton HM, Klosterhaus S, Keller A, Ferguson PL, van Bergen S, Cooper E, Webster TF, Blum A (2011). "Identification of flame retardants in polyurethane foam collected from baby products". Environ. Sci. Technol. 45 (12): 5323–31. Bibcode:2011EnST...45.5323S. doi:10.1021/es2007462. PMC 3113369. PMID 21591615.
  2. ^ Beard, Adrian; Battenberg, Christian; Sutker, Burton J. (2021). "Flame Retardants". Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry. pp. 1–26. doi:10.1002/14356007.a11_123.pub2. ISBN 978-3-527-30385-4. S2CID 261178139.
  3. ^ Governments unite to step-up reduction on global DDT reliance and add nine new chemicals under international treaty, Pressecommuniqué, 8 May 2009.
  4. ^ Reference: C.N.766.2017.TREATIES-XXVII.15 (Depositary Notification)