Alternatives to brominated flame retardants

4. Approach

4. Approach
4.1 Information search
4.2 Properties 

4. Approach

4.1 Information search

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Information search

The following databases have been the primary sources of information: Chemfinder, HSDB, RTECS, Toxline, IUCLID and Ecotox (Aquire). In addition SAX, WHO series and other compilations have been consulted. The scientific literature has only been occasionally included.

The properties of the compound are summarised giving the following data priority.

4.1 Properties

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The screening has comprised the following properties and sub-properties:

CAS No.

EINECS No.

EINECS Name

Synonyms

Molecular Formula

Structual Formula

Known Uses

EU Classification on annex 1 in Directive 67/548/EØF and its updates.

Physical Form

Molecular Weight

Melting Point/range (° C)

Boiling Point/range (° C)

Decomposition Temperature (° C)

Vapour Pressure (mm Hg(° C))

Relative Density

Vapour Density (air=1)

Solubility (water)

Partition Coefficient (log P_ow)

pK_a

Flammability

Explosivity

Oxidising properties

Mobility

Observation in humans

Acute Toxicity

Oral

Dermal

Inhalation

Other Routes

Skin Irritation

Eye Irritation

Irritation of Respiratory Tract

Skin Sensitisation

Sensitisation by Inhalation

 

Subchronic and Chronic Toxicity

Observation in humans

Oral

Inhalation

Dermal

Genotoxicity and Carcinogenicity

Mutagenicity

Gene Mutation

Chromosome Abnormalities

Other Genotoxic Effects

Cancer review

Reproductive Toxicity, Embryotoxicity and Teratogenicity

Reproductive Toxicity

Teratogenicity

Other Toxicity Studies

Toxicokinetics

Algae

Crustacean

Fish

Bacteria

 

BCF

Aerobic biodegradation

Anaerobic biodegradation

Metabolic pathway

Attention is drawn to the fact that no assessment of hazard or risk is made, nor is exposure included in the screening.

The references mentioned after each compound screening comprise the consulted literature.

Since the screening is based on compiled results in reviews, handbook and databases the data quality is difficult to evaluate. In the selection of data for the screening emphasis has been given to more recent data and studies performed after test guidelines, wherever this could be identified.

In the ecotoxicology section the phrases very toxic, toxic and harmful are used according to the classification of effects: < 1 mg/l, 1-10 mg/l and 10-100 mg/l, respectively. Studies with the standard suite of test organisms (algae, crustaceans and fish) have been emphasised.

The bioaccumulation is evaluated by using the bioconcentration factor (BCF). If a BCF of 100 is exceeded, typically from fish studies, the BCF is considered high.

Metals are not evaluated according to BCF, since essential metals (and those co-transported) are transported into organisms against concentration gradients, and steady state concentration factors are not established.

Metals are natural elements and as such biodegradation is not possible. The evaluated metals, however, are metal compounds and may dissociate, be oxidised or reduced to another state in the environment.

A metal is evaluated as the compound (e.g. a certain salt) for which the CAS no. is given. Several of the metal compounds may dissociate in the aquatic environment into the parent metal ion and a salt. Where possible a limited data set on the parent metal or toxic ligand has been given. The concomitant reassociation of the metal-ion with various inorganic or organic compounds (speciation) is not included in the screening, but may affect the environmental bioavailability of the original compounds considerably.

The screening of the alternatives concerning impact on health is based on the references listed within each form. These references have been reviewed. The amount of data has been varying.

In one case (zinc borate) the conclusion is based on the solubility of the substance in water compared to the solubility of sodium borate with know toxicological effects. The effects of sodium borate are extrapolated to zinc borate by using the ratio between the solubility of the compounds.