Alternatives for Brominated Flame Retardants - Miljøstyrelsen

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BCF
Aerobic biodegradation
Anaerobic biodegradation
Metabolic pathway
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Attention is drawn to the fact that no assessment of hazard or risk is made,
nor is exposure included in the screening.
The references mentioned after each compound screening comprise the consulted
literature.
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Since the screening is based on compiled results in reviews, handbook and
databases the data quality is difficult to evaluate. In the selection of data for
the screening emphasis has been given to more recent data and studies performed
after test guidelines, wherever this could be identified.
In the ecotoxicology section the phrases very toxic, toxic and harmful are
used according to the classification of effects: < 1 mg/l, 1-10 mg/l and 10-
100 mg/l, respectively. Studies with the standard suite of test organisms (algae,
crustaceans and fish) have been emphasised.
The bioaccumulation is evaluated by using the bioconcentration factor
(BCF). If a BCF of 100 is exceeded, typically from fish studies, the BCF is
considered high.
Metals are not evaluated according to BCF, since essential metals (and those
co-transported) are transported into organisms against concentration gradients,
and steady state concentration factors are not established.
Metals are natural elements and as such biodegradation is not possible. The
evaluated metals, however, are metal compounds and may dissociate, be
oxidised or reduced to another state in the environment.
A metal is evaluated as the compound (e.g. a certain salt) for which the CAS
no. is given. Several of the metal compounds may dissociate in the aquatic
environment into the parent metal ion and a salt. Where possible a limited
data set on the parent metal or toxic ligand has been given. The concomitant
reassociation of the metal-ion with various inorganic or organic compounds
(speciation) is not included in the screening, but may affect the environmental
bioavailability of the original compounds considerably.
The screening of the alternatives concerning impact on health is based on
the references listed within each form. These references have been reviewed.
The amount of data has been varying.
In one case (zinc borate) the conclusion is based on the solubility of the substance
in water compared to the solubility of sodium borate with know toxicological
effects. The effects of sodium borate are extrapolated to zinc borate
by using the ratio between the solubility of the compounds.
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