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Mapping of decabromodiphenylether (decaBDE) in other products than electrical and electronical products

6 Alternatives

• 6.1 Alternatives to decaBDE – summary of questionnaire responses
• 6.2 Trends in the use of decaBDE

Due to presumably negative health and environmental impacts at brominated flame-retardants (including decaBDE) usable alternatives have been searched for systematically over the recent years. In this connection detailed catalogues containing alternative have been prepared – e.g. the Chemical Inspection
(Kemikalieinspektionen) 2005 and the Danish EPA 1999.

In principle a reduction in the application of decaBDE may be in one of the following ways:

1.       Substitution of decaBDE with another and less problematic connection without changing the material that needs protection (substance substitution).

2.       Change to another material that does not require flame protection or use of other less problematic flame retardant chemicals (material substitution)

3.       Substitution of the product with another product or another technology that does not presuppose use of decaBDE (design changes)

There are a number of alternatives for decaBDE available today and the previously mentioned reference contains besides a listing of possible alternatives also concrete examples of the three principles mentioned above.

The alternative selection depends on a number of factors. Besides the alternative’s health and environmental properties the ”right” choice is also determined from a number of factors linked to the production and properties at he finished product. The Danish EPA 1999 summarized these significant properties in the headings listed in table 6.1.

Table 6.1: Basic significant conditions when selecting alternatives to decaBDE (The Danish EPA 1999)

As mentioned the Danish EPA 1999 and the Chemical Inspection (Kemikalieinspektionen) 2005 contain comprehensive lists over alternatives to decaBDE in a number of different materials and product types. The reader is thus referred to these lists for inspiration to possible alternatives for concrete materials/products.

In connection with the completed questionnaire study the participant were asked of their knowledge to potential alternatives to decaBDE in their products just as trends in use of decaBDE were asked for.

The same question was sought answered at direct contact in the project stages and especially in the three cases if actual use of decaBDE that was identified.

6.1 Alternatives to decaBDE – summary of questionnaire responses

It is practically identical feedback from the contacted companies that decaBDE is sought replaced with other flame retardant substances or methods if possible.

The following substances and substance groups are represented in case of decaBDE substitution with other substances:

• Metal hydroxides – e.g. magnesium hydroxide
• Metal hydrates – e.g. aluminium trihydrate
• Organic phosphorus compounds – e.g. tris(1-chloro-2-propyl)phosphate
• Inorganic phosphorus compounds – e.g. ammonium phosphates
• Other brominated flame-retardants – e.g. ethane-1,2-bis(pentabromphenyl)
• Metal compounds – e.g. silver (in woven or as nanotechnology)

The use of brominated flame-retardants within paints and joint fillers has been substituted by structural flame-retardant properties, where the flame-retardant effect is obtained by the materials increasing in extent effect at heat impact, thus avoiding or delaying the heat impact of the protected parts.

In other situations the potentially inflammable materials have been substituted with non-flammable materials e.g. use of woven glass fibre materials smoke aprons for senior citizens and disabled persons.

6.2 Trends in the use of decaBDE

The completed mapping has only demonstrated limited or sporadic use of decaBDE in Denmark.

There has only been a determined total import under 300 kg decaBDE as part of finished goods in the present mapping and 5 tons as chemical/semi-finished products. The Danish EPA (Miljøstyrelsen) 1999 has a registered use of 30-120 tons per year for polybrominated diphenylethers. The two mappings have applied different method of assessment and can thus not be immediately compared – however, there is reason to assume that the total use of PBDE and thus decaBDE has decreased since the mapping in the late 1990s. The Danish EPA (Miljøstyrelsen) 1999 concludes that the use of decaBDE seems to have decreased since the late 1990s. Present mapping confirms this assumption.

It is a general assumption from contacts with companies and trade organizations that there is no demand for products that have been flame-retardant treated with decaBDE in Denmark and that the companies seek to substitute decaBDE with other substances or methods if possible.

There is thus no reason to assume that the use of decaBDE will increase in Denmark in the future unless new product types with decaBDE content are introduced.

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Version 1.0 August 2007, © Danish Environmental Protection Agency