Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBA), its Derivatives and their Flame Retarded (FR) Polymers - Content of polybrominated Dibenzo-p-Dioxins (PBDD) and dibenzofurans (PBDF) - PBDD/F formation under processing and smouldering (worst case) conditions

Abstract

Brominated Flame retardants (FR) used for the production of FR polymers are of concern in respect to the possible formation of PBDD and PBDF [1–7]. A test program was developed to cover the aspects of processing FR plastics, of the fire case, and of the use as consumer products. The content respectively the formation of PBDD and PBDF under normal and abusive conditions was investigated. TBBA, its derivatives and the plastics flame retarded with TBBA do not contain significant amounts of PBDD and PBDF, particularly no 2,3,7,8-substituted isomers. No tri- through hexabrominated PBDD and PBDF were formed by temperature treatment typical for processing of such products even when applying abusive conditions. Investigations of the work place atmosphere yielded no detectable amounts of 2,3,7,8-substituted PBDD and PBDF. Comparable results were found at extreme low detection limits for the ambient air near a TV cabinet. Pyrolysis of the plastics under worst case conditions predominantly furnished mono- through tribrominated PBDD and PBDF in the ppb range. No 2,3,7,8-substituted isomers could be detected at low detection limits (1 – 4 ppb) with one exception. When pyrolyzing pure TBBA, the same compounds are formed in the ppm range; 2,3,7,8-substituted components were found between 10 and 50 ppb.