Guidance

Brominated flame retardants (decabromodiphenyl ether): general information

Updated 4 December 2024

Overview

Polybromodiphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a large group of 209 compounds with similar chemical structures. Decabromodiphenyl ether (deca-BDE) is now the only commercially available PBDE for use as a flame retardant in the EU.

Uses of deca-BDE

PBDEs have been added to materials to slow or prevent the burning of the product. They have been used in a wide range of products including electrical and electronic equipment, textiles and furniture.

Due to concerns over negative impacts on human health and the environment the uses of PBDEs are banned or there are restrictions on their use in the EU. These have been replaced by novel brominated flame-retardant compounds or other types of flame retardants.

How deca-BDE gets into the environment

PBDEs such as deca-BDE are flame retardants which are present in many household items. Some items which may contain deca-BDE include casings of televisions, computers and audio/visual equipment, and upholstery such as sofas and curtains. These flame retardants may be released (or leach-out) in small amounts from any material which contains them as particles or dust. PBDEs are not readily broken down in the environment and may be present at low levels in soils and sediments for several years.

Exposure to deca-BDE

Lower brominated PBDEs such as tetra-BDE and penta-BDE are persistent in the environment. They have been used in the past and may be present at low levels in air, sediments and food animals such as fish. Individuals may therefore be exposed to these by inhalation or ingestion. Higher brominated PBDEs such as deca-BDE may also be inhaled or ingested but are much less likely to pass into the blood stream. PBDEs are not likely to be absorbed through the skin following dermal contact.

How exposure to deca-BDE can affect your health

The presence of polybromodiphenyl ethers in the environment does not always lead to exposure. Clearly, in order for it to cause any adverse health effects you must come into contact with it. You may be exposed by breathing, eating, or drinking the substance or by skin contact. Following exposure to any chemical, the adverse health effects you may encounter depend on several factors, including the amount to which you are exposed (dose), the way you are exposed, the duration of exposure, the form of the chemical and if you were exposed to any other chemicals. There is very little information regarding adverse health effects in humans following exposure to PBDEs. Studies in animals have shown that the toxicity of deca-BDE by all routes of exposure is low. Experimental animals exposed to lower-brominated PBDEs have shown some changes in thyroid and liver function.

Deca-BDE and cancer

There is no evidence to suggest that exposure to PBDEs would cause cancer in humans. Due to the lack of human data and the limited data in animals, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) categorised deca-BDE as not being classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans (group 3). PBDEs are also not classified as carcinogens in the EU.

Pregnancy and the unborn child

There is no evidence to suggest that exposure to deca-BDE can affect the health of the unborn child.

Children

Children will be affected by PBDEs in the same way as adults. Developing infants may be more susceptible to effects of PBDEs on the nervous system and thyroid than adults. There is some evidence from animal studies to suggest that exposure to lower-brominated PBDEs during development may be associated with some impairment of nervous system behaviour, learning and memory. Lower-brominated PBDEs accumulate in fat and breast milk and may therefore be passed from the mother to infants during feeding.

What to do if you are exposed to deca-BDE

It is very unlikely that the general population will be exposed to a level of polybromodiphenyl ethers high enough to cause adverse health effects.

Additional sources of information

UKTIS - Best Use of Medicines in Pregnancy

NHS Choices – Poisoning

The information contained in this document from the UKHSA Radiation, Chemicals, Climate and Environmental Hazards Directorate is correct at the time of its publication.

Email chemcompendium@ukhsa.gov.uk if you have any questions about this guidance or enquiries@ukhsa.gov.uk if you have any other questions.

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