Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) fate in China: A review with emphasis on environmental level, human exposure, international regulation and alternatives

摘要

@@ Background PBDEs have three commercial products which are commercial pentaBDE, commercial octaBDE and commercial decaBDE. As the flame retardants, they have outstanding flame retardant properties and are widely used in many fields. However, because of the characteristics of persistence, bioaccumulation, potential for long-range environmental transport and adverse effects of some PBDE congeners, commercial pentaBDE and commercial octaBDE are classified as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) Although decaBDE is proved safe, it is restricted to be used in electrical and electronic equipment in EU. And what's more, because there exists the reality that commercial decaBDE are mixture of octaBDE, nonaBDE and decaBDE, and even more, it's worth noting that degradation of decaBDE can yield byproducts that are lower brominated congeners. Therefore, the commercial decaBDE has already been subject to advanced testing under the EU Risk Assessments process, the dossier preparation required under REACH has, in large part, already been carried out. As the Party of many international conventions, China has drawn up a series of regulation involved PBDEs and is to take measures to reduce and further maybe phase out PBDEs. Beginning with the status quo of industrial PBDEs, the paper then describes toxicity, distribution in environment and human, regulation and action, and their alternatives, finally the suggestions for China's policy are put forward.