Brominated flame retardants are recognized as among the most hazardous substances known today. They are used in a large number of products (eg electrical and electronic products, building materials and textiles) to make them less flammable.

Increasing concentrations in humans and the environment
These substances have a very stable composition. They therefore accumulate across the food chain as they spread through the environment. Investigations show increasing concentrations of brominated flame retardants in human blood and breast milk, sediments, fish and bird’s eggs.

These hazardous substances are also found in distant areas such as the Arctic.

The precautionary principle
There are different types of brominated flame retardants. It is still uncertain just how hazardous some of these substances are and what damage they can cause to health and the environment. Nevertheless, experience from clean-up operations after previous discharges of hazardous substances such as PCB, DDT and mercury indicate that precautionary steps should be taken. 

The action plan includes the following measures:

• Ban on the use of three specific substances and a close monitoring of two additional substances.       
• Active participation in the international efforts to reduce the emissions from brominated flame retardants.         
• Intensified control of the use, collection and waste treatment of such substances and of other products containing brominated flame retardants.       
• Increased information in order to stimulate the demand for products without brominated flame retardants or for alternative products that are less hazardous to health and the environment.       
• Collection of more knowledge on what occurs when products containing brominated flame retardants are incinerated or deposited as waste. 

SFT responsible for follow up
The action plan has been prepared by the Norwegian Pollution Control Authority (SFT) and approved by the Ministry of the Environment (on December 30. 2002). SFT will have the responsibility for carrying out the plan.

For more information:

• Action plan for the reduction of emissons of brominated flame retardants (09.01.03)   
• Certain Brominated Flame Retardants: Polybrominated Diphenylethers, Polybrominated Biphenyls, Hexabromo Cyclododecane (PDF file from Ospar)

Contacts: 

• Head of Section Anne-Grethe Kolstad, Section for Chemicals and the Chemical Industry
  Tel: +47/ 22 57 35 05,  E-mail: anne-grethe.kolstad@sft.no                
• Senior Advisor Solvår Hardeng, Division for Chemicals and the Chemical Industry
  Tel: +47/ 22 57 34 64, E-mail: solvar.hardeng@sft.no