US EPA

The U.S. EPA conducted a peer review of the scientific basis supporting the human health hazard and dose-response assessments of four congeners of polybrominated diphenyl ethers: tetraBDE (BDE-47), pentaBDE (BDE-99), hexaBDE (BDE-153), and decaBDE (BDE-209), that will appear on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) database. Peer review is meant to ensure that science is used credibly and appropriately in derivation of the dose-response assessments and toxicological characterization.

PBDEs are used as flame retardants in furniture foam, plastics for TV cabinets, consumer electronics, wire insulation, and backcoatings for draperies and upholstery. An assessment of the potential health effects of four individual congeners of polybrominated diphenyl ethers has been undertaken. The draft assessments will present reference values for the noncancer effects (RfD and RfC) and a cancer assessment, where supported by available data, for the BDE-47, BDE-99, BDE-153, and BDE-209 congeners of polybrominated diphenyl ethers. The draft Toxicological reviews will be subject to an external peer review and 45-day public comment period.

EPA is hereby providing for public information draft Toxicological Reviews for four congeners of polybrominated diphenyl ethers: tetraBDE (BDE-47), pentaBDE (BDE-99), hexaBDE (BDE-153), and decaBDE (BDE-209), and a charge to external peer reviewers for EPA's health assessment of the polybrominated diphenyl ethers. These documents are provided for public viewing and comment. Public comments received on the Toxicological Reviews prior to February 5, 2007 will be provided to the external peer reviewers for their consideration. Any comments received by February 16, 2007 will be considered by EPA in subsequent drafts. Please direct any correspondence, identifying the IRIS program, chemical substances, document date, and ID EPA-HQ-ORD-2006-0838.