Number
288-EN
Section
General Section
Use
Sector
Manufacture of textiles, leather, fur
Function
Flame retardant
Process
Industrial spraying
Product category
Processing aids such as pH-regulators, flocculants, percipitant, neutalization agents
Application
Flame retarding products
Abstract
Deca-BDE is often used as a flame retardant. For textiles a flame retarding agent based on citric acid can be used.
Substituted substances
DecaBDE
CAS No. 1163-19-5 EC No. 214-604-9 Index No.
Chemical group
Bromine compounds; ethers
Other adverse effects
The substance is: on the OSPAR list of substances of possible concern, endocrine disruptor (SIN List), as listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORT Screening Criteria (SDSC)
Alternative Substances
Citric acid, anhydrous
CAS No. 77-92-9 EC No. 201-069-1 Index No.
Chemical group
Carboxylic acid
Classification: hazard statements
H335 May cause respiratory irritation
H319 Causes serious eye irritation
Sodium benzoate
CAS No. 532-32-1 EC No. 208-534-8 Index No.
Chemical group
Sodium compounds; carboxylic acid salts
Ammonium bromide
CAS No. 12124-97-9 EC No. 235-183-8 Index No.
Chemical group
Ammonium salts; bromides
Classification: hazard statements
H360FD May damage fertility. May damage the unborn child
H362 May cause harm to breast-fed children
H336 May cause drowsiness or dizziness
H372 Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure
H319 Causes serious eye irritation
Reliability of information
Evidence of implementation: there is evidence that the solution was implemented and in use at time of publication
Reason substitution
PBT
Hazard Assessment
Substance to be substituted: Deca-BDE is a Substance of very high concern and is included on the REACH candidate list for authorization, according to Article 59 of Regulation (EG) No. 1907/2006. (REACH Regulation). Alternative substance: Citric acid, sodium benzoate and ammonium bromide are not on this list and they have no harmonised classification according to Annex VI of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP Regulation) and are not listed in the SUBSPORTplus Database.
Description of Substitution
Deca-BDE is often used as a flame retardant for textiles.At the Danish National School for Theatre and Contemporary Dance the stage manager has for several years used a flame retarding fluid containing citric acid and sodium benzoate. This product (Burnblock) is used for textiles. The Danish Technological Institute has made a health assessment of the product concluding that it contains a non-classified flame retardant, a pH-regulating agent (citric acid) and additives. The only classified agent is citric acid. The flame retardant occurs naturally in the body, and adverse health effects have not been found in literature studies except for a mild eye irritation, less than sodium chloride.At the Danish theatre school other products have been used and are used simultaneously.Product 2.Flamecheck can be used on absorbent materials. The product contains ammonium bromide (less than 10 %) and a non-specified anionic surfactant (also less than 10%). According to the MSDS the product is not classified.Product 3.Protiflam A contains aminated inorganic acids and surface active substances. According to the MSDS the product is not classified.Product 4.Flamol K is used for synthetic fibres etc. The MSDS holds no information about ingredients, but according to the MSDS the product holds no classified substances.The stage manager at the school has tested the smell when using Burnblock, Flamol K and Flamecheck. Burnblock and Flamol K have a weak odour. Flamecheck has a strong smell of ammonia even when it dries out.
Case/substitution evaluation
Burnblock as well as the three other mentioned alternatives are non-classified alternatives to Deca-DBE that have long term adverse effects. Deca-BDE is a persistent organic pollutant (POP) and is restricted due to the Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 (recast of the Regulation of the Stockholm convention on persistent organic pollutants). The alternative substances represent a safer substitution to Deca-BDE.
State of implementation
In use
Enterprise using the alternative
Statens Scenekunstskole(The danish national school of theatre and contemporary dance) https://ddsks.dk/en/frontpage
Availability ofAlternative
Available
Producer/Provider
Type of information supplier
User
Further information
Zertifikate über Burnblock (available on request)
Date, reviewed
November 26, 2021