TBBPA
Health: 100% completed in May 2005
The human health report was finalized in May 2005 and concluded that TBBPA is safe for human health. No health effects were identified and consumer exposure was deemed to be insignificant. In addition, the low levels of exposure observed in regional studies also show a lack of human health concerns. Comparison of the exposure data with data available for repeated exposure toxicity and reproductive toxicity has provided reassurance that there are no issues of potential concern. This was confirmed by the EU’s Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks (SCHER – an independent committee that advises the Commission), after it reviewed the human health risk assessment.
Further information on scientific studies regarding TBBPA and human health
-
EBFRIP’s reaction to the final human health risk assessment.
-
Summary of the risk assessment.
-
TBBPA risk assessment publication.
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).
Environment: 100% completed in June 2007
TBBPA environmental section of the Risk Assessment (RA) was completed in June 2007. About 200 studies were conducted on the impact of TBBPA on the environment. 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, identified at only one plant in Europe only by the EU Risk Assessment, 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.
BSEF believes that most of the risks identified for additive application are manageable through a Voluntary Emissions Control Action Programme (VECAP). To date, 100% of TBBPA additive customers in Europe have already committed to control and reduce their emissions. For more information on VECAP please go to www.vecap.info.
An EU Risk Reduction Strategy (RRS) was approved to address the local risk identified by the Risk Assessment. It recommended a measure to reduce emissions at the plant under the framework of IPPC - Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Directive - at one ABS compounding site in Europe. This site has recently been 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 has concluded the RA by publishing on 18 June 2008 in the EU Official Journal the Commission Recommendation consisting of the RA and RRS conclusions.
Further information on TBBPA and the environment
-
TBBPA OJ publication of the risk assesment publication.
-
TBBPA OJ publication of the risk reduction strategy publication.
-
For more information on the SCHER’s review of the Environment risk assessment.
-
For more information visit the European Joint Research Centre website.
REACH – European Chemical Management System
As TBBPA has already gone through a Risk Assessment in Europe, it will be one of the first substances to be registered under the new European Chemical System REACH. For more information on REACH & TBBPA please go to www.ebfrip.org.
Further research on TBBPA
A recent review of all studies conducted on TBBPA, including the report by the Ökoinstitut Freiburg e.V., see link to report, has confirmed the conclusions made by the European Risk Assessment (RA) of the substance which was finalised in 2007 by the UK Government. Professor Wolfgang Dekant has concluded that TBBPA is not an endocrine disruptor nor does not have a significant potential for bioaccumulation. The German representative on the European Commission Scientific Committee Health and Risk Committee finishes by stating that there is no reason for TBBPA to be classified as a substance of “high priority hazard”. Moreover, he stressed that the European RA reports made on TBBPA are based on established science and do not need to be changed due to new observations published over recent years.
