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Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in articles: a review of its applications and legislation

  • Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs): a global issue, a global challenge
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Abstract

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), especially commercial decabrominated diphenyl ethers (c-decaBDE), have been widely produced and applied to numerous materials because of their highly effective flame-retardant capabilities. The production of commercial pentaBDE (c-pentaBDE) and commercial octaBDE (c-octaBDE) ended in 2004 because they are persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic to both humans and the environment, but decaBDE production and use continue. Furthermore, many congeners of PBDEs are still prevalent in consumer products and articles that they pose enormous threat to both the environment and human health. PBDEs have been detected in the casing of electrical and electronic equipment, textile materials, automotive interiors, polyurethane foam (PUF) in seat cushions, children’s toys, kitchenware, and other products. With increasing evidence about PBDE pollution and the adoption of international conventions, many developed countries have drawn more public attention to PBDEs and developed sound strategies for their management. This review summaries the utilization and management of PBDEs in a number of countries and reaches the conclusion that PBDEs are still prevalent in consumer articles, while specific regulations or policies for articles containing PBDEs are rare. Public awareness should be raised on the importance of sound management of articles containing PBDEs.

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Acknowledgments

We gratefully express our appreciation of the financial support from the National Public Benefit (Environment) Research Foundation of China (No. 201009026); the Key Laboratory for Solid Waste Management and Environment Safety, Ministry of Education of China (No. swmes 2011-01); and special fund from the State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control (No. 11Z02ESPCT).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China

    Li Jinhui

  2. Basel Convention Regional Centre for Training and Technology Transfer for Asia and the Pacific, Beijing, 100084, China

    Chen Yuan

  3. Stockholm Convention Regional Centre for Capacity-Building and the Transfer of Technology in Asia and Pacific Region, Beijing, 100084, China

    Xiao Wenjing

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  1. Li Jinhui
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  2. Chen Yuan
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  3. Xiao Wenjing
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Correspondence to Li Jinhui.

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Responsible editor: Leif Kronberg

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Jinhui, L., Yuan, C. & Wenjing, X. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in articles: a review of its applications and legislation. Environ Sci Pollut Res 24, 4312–4321 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-015-4515-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-015-4515-6

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