Scientific studies

Many scientific studies have been conducted on TBBPA in the framework of the European risk assessment (RA) of the substance, making TBBPA one of the most thoroughly studied flame retardants in its given applications. There are two parts to the risk assessment, Environment and Human Health. The UK Government led both assessments and the overall RA was finalised in June 2007.

The human health part of the risk assessment (RA) identified no risks. The environmental section of the RA identified only one local risk at a production plant in Europe. The EU Risk Reduction Strategy recommended to monitor emissions of TBBPA through the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control directive (IPPC). No legislative restriction has been recommended. TBBPA is approved for use in the EU.

The conclusions of the TBBPA EU RA were published in the EU Official Journal on 18 June 2008 and are available on the European Commission's Joint Research Centre website.

TBBPA is in the process of being classified in the EU as an R50-53 substance, which means that it is toxic to aquatic organisms, but it loses this classification when it is reacted into the printed circuit board resin, which represents more than 80% of its uses. TBBPA is employed as a starting material that fully reacts to form the epoxy resins of laminates for printed circuit boards. This full integration into the epoxy resin ensures that the final product, flame retarded printed circuit boards, no longer contains TBBPA, leaving the user free from any possible exposure.

For more details, please see science centre scientific studies.