About TETRABROMOBISPHENOL A (TBBPA)
Applications
Printed wiring boards
ABS Plastics Intermediate for Brominated Flame Retardant Production TBBPA contributes to the fire safety of all systems requiring FR-4 printed wiring boards. It is therefore used in a wide range of electrical and electronic equipment and installations, such as consumer electronics (TVs, vacuum cleaners, washing machines, etc) and office and communication equipment (copiers, computers, printers, fax machines, radios, etc) but also in high tech devices such as wind turbines and defense systems.
Scientific Studies Many scientific studies have been conducted on TBBPA in the framework of a European risk assessment of the substance, making TBBPA the most studied flame retardant in its given applications. There are two parts to the risk assessment, Environment and Human Health. The UK Government is leading both assessments and the overall risk assessment was finalised in June 2007. For more information on the SCHER’s review of the human health risk assessment go to: In Europe, TBBPA is also being evaluated as part of an EU project looking at potential endocrine disruptors. Initial results from EU scientific experts show "no major endocrine effects" from TBBPA. (“Brominated flame retardants in environmentally relevant test setup”, FIRE project, CREDO Research Cluster, January 2006) For more information go to:http://www.bsef.com/newsmanager/uploads/ebfrip_press_release_update_credo-fire_project.pdf 100% completed June 2007 About 200 studies were conducted on TBBPA impact on the environment. TBBPA Risk Assessment was completed in June 2007. No concern was identified by the risk assessment for TBBPA use in printed circuit board applications. Emissions of TBBPA when added to ABS plastics can cause low and local risk at plant level for surface water, sediment and soil. Risks were identified if sludge containing TBBPA is applied to agricultural soil. In practice, however, this does not happen as sludge from user sites in Europe is sent to incineration and controlled landfills. A Risk Reduction Strategy (RRS) was drafted to address the local risk for soil, water and sediment identified by the Risk Assessment when TBBPA is used as an additive, It recommended a measure to reduce emissions at production plants (IPPC - Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Directive) as an appropriate tool to control the risk identified at one ABS compounding site in Europe. This site has recently closed. On 23 October 2007, the RRS for TBBPA was discussed at EU level and approved by EU RRS officials. On 15 January, the European Commission’s Scientific Committee SCHER adopted its opinion on the environmental part of the TBBPA Risk Assessment., It considers that “the environmental part of the risk assessment of tetrabromobisphenol-A is in general of good quality”. The European Commission will conclude the whole RA process by publishing in the Official Journal a Commission Recommendation consisting of the RA conclusions and the RRS. For more information visit the European Chemicals Bureau website: EBFRIP’s update on the progress of the environment risk assessment: - For more information on the SCHER’s review of the Environment risk assessment go to: http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_risk/committees/04_scher/docs/scher_o_071.pdf As TBBPA is produced in volumes greater than 1000 tonnes, it is considered as a high volume substance under REACH and will be one of the first substances to go through REACH registration (by December 2010). As it has been risk assessed, a complete data set is already available and no new studies will be needed for the registration of TBBPA under REACH. Considering RA conclusions, it is unlikely to face restrictions under REACH once it has been registered and evaluated. TBBPA does not meet the criteria for authorisationThe Directive on Waste of Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) aims to reduce the amount of electronic waste being produced, encouraging re-use, recycling and recovery. Amongst the Directive requirements are that the following must receive separate treatment from any collected WEEE:
In practice we expect PWBs to go to a metal smelter as they contain precious metals and copper. Studies on PWBs Several studies have been undertaken on PWBs containing TBBPA. One metal recovery study was undertaken at the Umicore Integrated Metal Smelter. The trial at the smelter using PWBs containing TBBPA showed process stability and demonstrated that PWB waste can be handled on a large scale fully respecting the most stringent environment and health standards. The Swedish IVF institute undertook a case study comparing the costs and environmental implications of using halogen-free flame retardants in the manufacture of printed wiring boards (PWB) instead of bromine-based fire safety systems. In the case study undertaken there was a cost increase ranging from almost zero to €10 per panel resulting from the move to halogenfree flame retardant systems. These increases related to costs for panel drilling, desmearing and materials. Though experience is limited with regard to producing non-halogenated PWBs, the case study indicates that costs relating to panel drilling and desmearing would remain whereas other parameters used in the study, pressing, design, and solder mask, did not change depending on the flame retardant system used. Studies on ABS Plastics A study entitled “Recycling of bromine from plastics containing brominated flame retardants in state-of the-art combustion facilities” by Tamara, Vehlow, B. at the Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe Institut für Technische Chemie Bereich Thermische Abfallbehandlung, was completed in 2002. The study showed that brominated flame retardants contained in WEEE plastics –including TBBPA in ABS- can be safely handled in modern household waste incinerators. The study concluded that up to 3% WEEE plastics containing BFRs can be safely added to the incinerator, the halogens have a positive cleaning effect on the heavy metals in the slag. The Nordic Council of Ministers commissioned a study entitled “Emission measurement during incineration of waste containing Bromine” by Borgnes and Rikheim at the Kjelforenigne Norsk Energi, published in 2005. The study confirms that TBBPA in waste decomposes in the incineration process and that increasing the content of BFRs in the waste gave no significant increase in the emissions of chlorinated dioxins, or either brominated and chlorinated/brominated dioxins. To see the Karlsruhe study go to: For more information on the WEEE Directive go to: For more information on the IVF study go to: To see the IPC (Association Connecting Electronics Industries) position and “White Paper” on halogen free go to:http://halogenfree.ipc.org/ To see the Nordic Council study on incineration of waste containing bromine go to: TBBPA for use in PWBs is not restricted under these various eco-labels:
TBBPA is not restricted under any EU legislation and is approved for its marketing and use. Sweden In December 2005, the Swedish Government requested KEMI, the Government body responsible for evaluating and managing chemicals, to evaluate a potential ban on TBBPA and HBCD. Following a period of stakeholder consultation on a potential ban, KEMI has advised the Swedish Government on 15 March 2006 to await outcome of EU Risk Assessments on these substances, stating that: “A comprehensive national ban would have severe adverse practical & economic consequences for society. A ban that does not make it possible to use TBBPA in the manufacturing of printed circuit boards for electronics would most probably results in the manufacturing & importing of most electronic products coming to a halt. All electronic products contain circuit boards. Nor would a ban covering this use of TBBPA lead to any known benefits to health and the environment.” For more information go to: Norway A proposal of June 2007 from the Norwegian Pollution Control Authority (SFT) intended to restrict the use of 18 chemical substances in consumer goods including the flame retardant TBBPA when used as an additive. The Norwegian government notified the European Union on its project. This notification opened a three month period for EU Member States and the European Commission to submit their comments on the proposal. In parallel, the proposal was subject to a three month national stakeholder consultation process. Opposition to this proposal was expressed by the European Commission, some Member States, EFTA and members of WTO. In Norway, among 70 stakeholders replied to the consultation, and a majority was against this proposal. Arguments against indicated this proposal was acting ahead of EU RA conclusions and Reach implementation. Norwegian authorities will now take all comments into account and decide on next steps. US EPA Currently the US EPA is running a “Design for the Environment” programme for PWBs. It is a voluntary partnership programme working with industry and other interested parties it aims to develop information on environmental and human health impacts, performance, and potential cost of alternative technologies and approaches for PWB manufacture. The EPA is monitoring scientific developments on TBBPA, including disposal and recycling practices. Based on a forthcoming review the EPA will evaluate whether further action on TBBPA is needed; the options include additional studies of environmental fate, exposure pathways, and/or toxicology, assessments of hazard and dose-response, or a full risk assessment. NGOs Several studies have been undertaken by environmental groups (Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth) where they have tested blood and breast milk for BFRs, including TBBPA. The European Brominated Flame Retardant Industry Panel (EBFRIP – European representatives of BSEF) supports the improved development of biomonitoring tools. The member companies of EBFRIP have monitored their employees’ exposure for years. In general the levels found in blood and breast milk were extremely low, in the range of parts per billion. To put this in context one part per billion (ppb) is roughly equivalent to one drop of ink in a canal lock full of water, or one second per 32 years. Furthermore, the EU risk assessment of TBBPA took all these data from the environmental groups into account and concluded that TBBPA presents no risk for human health. As for findings in the environment, BSEF started a Voluntary Emissions Control and reduction Action Programme (VECAP). This aims to reduce emissions of TBBPA into the environment by working with downstream users of TBBPA. In response to documents produced by Environmental NGOs, BSEF has contributed the following statements: Voluntary Emissions Control and reduction Action Programme (VECAP) for TBBPA The aim of the VECAP programme is to work with downstream users of TBBPA to implement a voluntary emissions reduction programme. This helps reducing emissions of TBBPA into the environment, starting first with the additive use of TBBPA. VECAP is based on a successful ongoing programme for DecaBDE. To date, 100% of TBBPA additive customers in Europe have already committed to control and reduce their emissions and a baseline has been established for the additive use. The programme is also being rolled out to the reactive users. For more information go to: http://www.bsef.com/product_stew/vecap/
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