Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs)

PBDEs are a class of substances used as flame retardants in a wide variety of products. PBDEs are not manufactured in Canada but are imported into Canada as commercial mixtures and added to various intermediate and finished products, such as computer housings, household appliances, furniture, automotive/aircraft seating and interiors, and a variety of electrical and electronic components. Releases of PBDEs to the environment can occur during manufacturing and processing operations, throughout the service life of articles containing PBDEs, and when articles that contain PBDEs are disposed of. Studies indicate that PBDE levels in Canadian biota are rising, with increases in tissue concentrations evident over the last two decades. The highest levels in biota are associated with industrialized regions; however, the increasing incidence of PBDEs in Arctic biota provides evidence for long-range atmospheric transport of these compounds.

Seven PBDEs present on the Domestic Substances list (DSL) were identified in a pilot project list of 123 substances for screening assessment under CEPA 1999, on the basis of their potential persistence and/or bioaccumulation in the environment and inherent toxicity to non-human organisms. The seven PBDE homologues include tetra-(CAS No. 40088-47-9), penta-(CAS No. 32534-81-9), hexa-(CAS No. 36483-60-0), hepta-(CAS No. 68928-80-3), octa-(CAS No. 32536-52-0), nona-(CAS No. 63936-56-1) and decaBDE-(CAS No. 1163-19-5).

Risk Assessment

• Ecological Screening Assessment Report on Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs)
• Health Canada Screening Assessment Report for Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs)
• CEPA 1999 Schedule 1 - List of Toxic Substances - This substance has been added to the List of Toxic Substances. It is entering or may enter the environment in a quantity or concentration or under conditions that:

   

  
  a) have or may have an immediate or long-term harmful effect on the environment or its biological diversity.
• Virtual elimination of the substance (Track 1) under the Toxic Substances Management Policy

Risk Management Strategy

Click on the following link to view strategies and actions recommended to manage risks associated with the substance:

• Risk Management Strategy for Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs)

Risk Management Tool(s)

Tool(s) developed to manage risks associated with the substance:

• Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers Regulations

Consultation

Consultation (past and present) on the substance:

• Revised Risk Management Strategy for Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs)
• Proposed Performance Agreement to Control, Monitor and Minimize the Release of Decabromodiphenyl Ether (DecaBDE) Commercial Mixture from Canadian Facilities where DecaBDE is Used or Handled
• State of the Science Report on the Bioaccumulation and Transformation of Decabromodiphenyl Ether (DRAFT)
• Reply to Comments Received in Submissions on the Proposed Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers Regulations Published on December 16, 2006, in Part I of the Canada Gazette
• Proposed Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers Regulations (Consultation Period Closed)
• Proposed Risk Management Strategy for Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) (Consultation Period Closed)
• Proposed Order Adding Toxic Substances to Schedule 1 to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. (Consultation Period Closed).
• Draft Environmental Screening Assessment Report on Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs)- (Consultation Period Closed)

Other Information

• Technical Information on the Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers Regulations

Contact

Email address: RiskManagementPrograms@ec.gc.ca
Fax number: (819) 997-7121

Risk Management Programs
Environment Canada
Place Vincent Massey
351 St. Joseph Blvd.   Floor 13
Gatineau, Quebec
K1A OH3

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