About HEXABROMOCYCLODODECANE (HBCD)

November 2006

Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) is one of the 75 different Brominated Flame Retardants (BFRs). Total consumption worldwide of HBCD was 16,700 tons in 2001.
HBCD is produced in the US, Asia and in Israel. The only HBCD production site in Europe is in The Netherlands.

Applications

HBCD’s main use is in Expanded and Extruded Polystyrene (EPS and XPS) for thermal insulation foams, in building and construction in order to meet required high fire safety standards. EPS and XPS insulation foams are increasingly important for the European construction sector as they are essential products to help public buildings and homes to be energy efficient. HBCD has no technically suitable alternative in EPS and XPS. It is unique in that it combines high effectiveness with very low levels used thus helping to maintain EPS and XPS’ insulation properties.

Approximately 80% of all EPS boards and practically all XPS boards are processed to meet national fire safety regulations. Additionally, the use of flame retarded EPS and XPS insulation foams is preferred during the construction process. While stored on site, flame retarded EPS and XPS foams are better protected against any accidental ignition and therefore significantly improve workers’ safety.

For more information on HBCD use in EPS/XPS please click here

HBCD is also applied in the backcoating of textiles, mainly for upholstered furniture, and is one of the flame retardant technologies used to meet the highest levels of fire safety as required by legislation in the UK, Ireland and California. Statistics for the UK alone estimate that over 4,000 lives have been saved since 1988 as a result of the legislation mandating that upholstered furniture respect a high level of fire resistance .

A very small application of HBCD is in HIPS (High Impact Polystyrene), which is used for electrical and electronic appliances, for example in audiovisual equipment.

Scientific Studies

HBCD is currently undergoing a scientific risk assessment conducted by the European Union. In this context, many studies are being carried out on the substance. The risk assessment includes two parts; one on the effects of HBCD on human health and the other on the effects on the environment. The Swedish Government is leading both parts and the overall risk assessment is expected to be finalised early 2007.

Health

To be completed end of 2006

The Human health report is to be completed end of 2006. The available studies’ results have concluded that:

•  HBCD is not toxic on oral or dermal exposure.
• No evidence of carcinogenicity was found in an 18 month study.
• HBCD did not induce mutations in the Ames, in vitro chromosome aberration, and in vivo micronucleus tests.

Consumer exposure

The draft Human health report indicates no risk from HBCD for consumers. The German Federal Environment Agency (UBA) investigated EPS and XPS Polystyrene boards which is flame retarded with HBCD on potential emissions. The study did not find any volatile emissions from HBCD out of these products.

Emissions of Flame Retardants from construction materials and consumer products. UBA report 53/03, ISBN 0722-186X

Workers exposure

The draft Human health report identified limited risk for workers. This risk is manageable by implementing simple workplace guidelines, such as wearing protective gear.

Environment

 
To be completed end of 2006

HBCD’s toxicity and its effects on the environment are currently discussed. The Environmental Report is to be concluded in December 2006.

HBCD can be found in environmental samples such as birds, mammals, fish and other aquatic organisms. Traces of HBCD have also been found in soil and sediments. Monitoring data from 2003 show an increase in levels in the UK.

Industry programme to reduce emissions

In view of HBCD findings in the environment, industry has taken initiatives to control emissions from HBCD production itself and from downstream use.

• From production

Until 2003, emissions from production and industrial use resulted in rising environmental HBCD levels.  In 2003, a voluntary emission reduction programme was initiated to address the levels found. Since then, emissions levels from production have decreased by 99%.  With less than 3 kg per year, today’s emissions related to production in Europe are negligible. Also, the disposal of non-treated waste water from industrial sites has ceased.  This reduction in emissions to the environment has been fully recognized within the EU risk assessment of HBCD.

• From downstream use

In 2005, a voluntary industry emission reduction programme involving the downstream users in the textiles and polystyrene foam industries was initiated.  The aim of this programme is to work with downstream users of HBCD to implement a voluntary emissions reduction programme. This will reduce emissions of HBCD into the environment. The project is based on a successful ongoing programme for DecaBDE.

For more information go to: http://www.bsef.com/product_stew/vecap/

The polystyrene foam joint industry programme, called SECURE, has recently set up baseline data against which progress in emission reduction will be assessed. First assessment results are expected mid 2007.

REACH

As HBCD is produced in volumes greater than 1000 tonnes, it is considered as a high volume substance under REACH and will have to be registered within 3 years of REACH entering into force.

As it is currently being risk assessed a complete data set will already be available for registration of HBCD, and it is unlikely that new data will need to be generated for Registration. Difficult to predict authorisation or registration before Jan 200…