US EPA

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are used as flame retardants in furniture foam (pentaBDE), plastics for TV cabinets, consumer electronics, wire insulation, and backcoatings for draperies and upholstery (decaBDE), and plastics for personal computers and small appliances (octaBDE).

EPA has completed an update of the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) health assessment for BDE-47, BDE-99, BDE-153 and BDE-209 congeners. The outcome of this project is the Toxicological Review and IRIS Summary of BDE-47, BDE-99, BDE-153 and BDE-209 that will be entered on the IRIS database. IRIS is an EPA database containing Agency scientific positions on potential adverse human health effects that may result from chronic (or lifetime) exposure to chemicals in the einvironment. IRIS contains chemical-specific summaries of qualitative and quantitative health information in support of two steps of the risk assessment process, i.e., hazard identification and dose-reponse evaluation. IRIS assessments are used nationally and internationally in combination with specific siutational exposure assessment information to evaluate potential public health risks associated with development of risk assessments, site-specific environmental decisions, and rule making.

U.S. EPA. IRIS Health Assessment Of 2,2',4,4'-Tetrabromodiphenyl Ether (BDE-47) CASRN 5436-43-12,2',4,4',5-Pentabromodiphenyl Ether (BDE-99) CASRN 60348-60-92,2',4,4',5,5'-Hexabromodiphenyl Ether (BDE-153) CASRN 68631-49-22,2',3,3',4,4',5,5',6,6'-Decabromodiphenyl Ether (BDE-209) CASRN 1163-19-5. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, 2008.