Report from seminar organised by Royal Dutch Chemical Association (KNCV)
Tuesday 19 February 2002
EBRIP took part in a one-day seminar on Brominated Flame Retardants
organised by the Royal Dutch Chemical Association (KNCV), at the
University of Amsterdam, December 13th 2001.
The audience was composed of chemists, chemical engineers,
university professors, and researchers from leading institutes and hence
the presentations and discussions were very much focused on science.
This initiative aims to communicate on scientific developments about BFRs
and share views among experts and other parties representing a wide range
of opinions and interests: NGOs (Greenpeace), public authorities
(Ministry of Environment, VROM), independent scientists (RIVO, RIZO),
industries (EBFRIP).
Among the conclusions coming out of this meeting was the
re-statement by scientists from RIVO and RIZO that penta-BDE is the only
brominated flame retardant out of 75 which is found in the environment
and in biota. As regards deca-BDE and octa-BDE, it was confirmed that
it is only found in sediment samples and distribution within the marine
environment is a result of point sources.(To achieve good understanding and
see trend analyses industry is working together with RIVO on analysis of
several BFRs. Through fully integrated product stewardship programs
emissions in the complete supply chain should be minimized and controlled
to secure sustainable use).
The Dutch Ministry for the Environment (VROM) expressed its belief
in the need to rely on the coming results of deca-BDE EU risk assessment
in order to have an exhaustive and scientifically sound view on this issue.
A lesson from the discussions is also the lack of scientific
basis to support a number of allegations against BFRs. The bromine
industry is willing to contribute and encourage such initiatives. By
promoting open communication and dialogue, they help furthering the
scientific understanding and ensuring a high level of health and
environmental safety of BFRs.
organised by the Royal Dutch Chemical Association (KNCV), at the
University of Amsterdam, December 13th 2001.
The audience was composed of chemists, chemical engineers,
university professors, and researchers from leading institutes and hence
the presentations and discussions were very much focused on science.
This initiative aims to communicate on scientific developments about BFRs
and share views among experts and other parties representing a wide range
of opinions and interests: NGOs (Greenpeace), public authorities
(Ministry of Environment, VROM), independent scientists (RIVO, RIZO),
industries (EBFRIP).
Among the conclusions coming out of this meeting was the
re-statement by scientists from RIVO and RIZO that penta-BDE is the only
brominated flame retardant out of 75 which is found in the environment
and in biota. As regards deca-BDE and octa-BDE, it was confirmed that
it is only found in sediment samples and distribution within the marine
environment is a result of point sources.(To achieve good understanding and
see trend analyses industry is working together with RIVO on analysis of
several BFRs. Through fully integrated product stewardship programs
emissions in the complete supply chain should be minimized and controlled
to secure sustainable use).
The Dutch Ministry for the Environment (VROM) expressed its belief
in the need to rely on the coming results of deca-BDE EU risk assessment
in order to have an exhaustive and scientifically sound view on this issue.
A lesson from the discussions is also the lack of scientific
basis to support a number of allegations against BFRs. The bromine
industry is willing to contribute and encourage such initiatives. By
promoting open communication and dialogue, they help furthering the
scientific understanding and ensuring a high level of health and
environmental safety of BFRs.
