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Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers: Speculating on Possible Future Directions and Information Needs

Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers: Speculating on Possible Future Directions and Information Needs. Region 2 Science Day Workshop October 25, 2005 Daniel Axelrad U.S. EPA Office of Policy, Economics and Innovation axelrad.daniel@epa.gov. Future Steps in EPA’s Programs.

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Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers: Speculating on Possible Future Directions and Information Needs

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  1. Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers: Speculating on Possible Future Directions and Information Needs Region 2 Science Day Workshop October 25, 2005 Daniel Axelrad U.S. EPA Office of Policy, Economics and Innovation axelrad.daniel@epa.gov

  2. Future Steps in EPA’s Programs • The following observations are speculative • Actual steps that might be considered in EPA programs will depend on the evolving scientific picture

  3. PentaBDE and OctaBDE – commercial mixtures • U.S. pentaBDE/octaBDE production phased out • SNUR will require review by EPA before manufacture/import can resume • Status of articles under SNUR • Under VCCEP, EPA is requesting toxicity testing for pentaBDE and octaBDE (2-gen repro) • Are there further steps to be taken regarding penta and octa as commercial products? • Focus shifts to management of products containing penta/octa and assessing exposure/risk potential of congeners and environmental mixtures

  4. Commercial decaBDE • Is there a risk concern for the decaBDE product? • Hazards of and exposure to decaBDE itself • Debromination and other environmental fate issues • If yes…substantial risk management analysis would be needed before actions concerning manufacture/import or use of decaBDE • Fire safety issues – suitability of alternative FRs or alternate materials is the critical issue • Possiblity of voluntary withdrawal? • More manufacturers/importers than penta/octa • Regulation? TSCA “unreasonable risk” criterion • Role of state regulation/legislation

  5. Managing exposures to PBDEs • If risk assessments warrant further activities, the focus may be on steps to reduce exposure to PBDEs already in products or in the environment • What steps? It depends: • How are we exposed? • Relative importance of dust vs. food • How PBDEs get into dust, food, wildlife • What steps would reduce exposure? • Releases from manufacturing/processing? • Managing products at the end-of-life? • Addressing presence of sources in the home? • Fish advisories?

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