Benchmarking RDP, BPADP, and DecaBDE

The benchmark achieved by each of the formulated flame retardant chemicals—RDP, BPADP, and decaBDE—is based upon the lowest benchmark achieved by the chemical s constituents and breakdown products. This is to address concerns with the hazards associated with the use of the chemical constituents in manufacture (both due to worker exposure and releases to the environment and into local communities) and with the degradation of the formulated chemical into more hazardous byproducts. 

As shown in Table 7, RDP was the only flame retardant—including chemical constituents and breakdown products—among BPADP/ BAPP and decaBDE to progress to Benchmark 2—Use but Search for Substitutes. The other two flame retardants, decaBDE and BPADP did not progress beyond Benchmark 1 —Avoid Chemical of High Concern. 

Both decaBDE and BPADP stopped at Benchmark 1 because of their breakdown products. DecaBDE s breakdown products include pentaBDE as a PBT (Benchmark 1 (a)) and octaBDE as very persistent and toxic. BPADP degrades into bisphenol A (and contains the chemical as a contaminant in formulations), which is of high concern for endocrine disruption (and potentially high for its reproductive and developmental effects). 

THE GREEN SCREEN FOR SAFER CHEMICALS EVALUATING FLAME RETARDANTS FOR TV ENCLOSURES 37 

DecaBDE and its breakdown products 1163-19-5 Breakdown products stop decaBDE at Benchmark 1 pentaBDE = PBT, vPvB, vPT, vBT, and high concern for endocrine disruption— Benchmarks 1 (a),(b),(c),(d) octaBDE = vPT and high concern for developmental toxicity—Benchmark 1 (c),(d) Benchmark 1 Avoid—Chemical of Eligh Concern 

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