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Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers

Help on accessing alternative formats, such as Portable Document Format (PDF), Microsoft Word and PowerPoint (PPT) files, can be obtained in the alternate format help section.

• Final Ecological State of the Science Report on Decabromodiphenyl Ether
• Final Revised Risk Management Strategy on Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers
• Background

Final Ecological State of the Science Report on Decabromodiphenyl Ether

On August 28, 2010, the results of a final ecological state of the science report were published in Canada Gazette Part I, Vol. 144 No. 35, on decabromodiphenyl ether (decaBDE).

The ecological state of the science report on decaBDE provides an updated analysis of bioaccumulation and environmental transformation of decaBDE. The report concludes that decaBDE may accumulate to high and problematic levels in organisms, and may transform into bioaccumulative and/or potentially bioaccumulative substances.

A summary of the final ecological state of the science report on decaBDE and the complete ecological state of the science report on decaBDE is available at:

•  Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 144, No. 35 - Publication of the Final Ecological State of the Science for the Substance - Decabromodiphenyl Ether - Specified on the Domestic Substances List Paragraphs 68(b) and (c) of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 ( PDF Version - 2179 K)
•  Ecological State of the Science Report on Decabromodiphenyl Ether (Bioaccumulation and Transformation)

You may also obtain copies of the ecological state of the science report on decaBDE by contacting existing.substances.existantes@ec.gc.ca.

Final Revised Risk Management Strategy for Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers

In December 2006, Environment Canada and Health Canada published a comprehensive risk management strategy for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) with the objective of reducing the concentration of PBDEs in the Canadian environment to the lowest level possible.

Since the completion and publication of the screening assessment reports in 2006, a large amount of new information has been published respecting the accumulation of one form of PBDE, decabromodiphenyl ether (decaBDE), in biota and its potential transformation to persistent and bioaccumulative products. This information has been summarized and evaluated in the final ecological state of science report on decaBDE, published on August 28, 2010.

• Final Revised Risk Management Strategy on Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers

The outcome of this review provided justification for the development of additional regulatory controls for this form of PBDEs. Consequently, in March 2009, the Government published a revised risk management strategy for PBDEs for a 60-day public comment period.

Following the comments received on the revised strategy, the conclusions of the final state of the science report, and the voluntary phase-out of decaBDE by the industry in the United States, the final revised risk management strategy proposes to further broaden the control measures for decaBDE. The measures would restrict both the substance and all products that contain it (not limited to electrical and electronic equipment as indicated in the March 2009 risk management strategy). The final revised strategy consists of the following main elements:

1. Expand prohibitions on the manufacture, use, sale and import currently in force for tetra-, hexa- and pentaBDE (as prescribed by the PBDEs regulations, see link below) to all PBDEs assessed under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999). As such, prohibitions on the use, sale, offer for sale and import would be extended to hepta-, octa-, nona- and decaBDE congeners, and any resin or polymer containing these substances.
   
   Canada Gazette, Part II: Vol 142, No. 14 - Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers Regulations ( PDF Version - 986 K)
2. Development of control measures under CEPA 1999 to restrict PBDEs in manufactured and imported products. While further information needs to be gathered, the intention is to prohibit the manufacture, use, sale, offer for sale and import of all new products containing tetra- to decaBDE at concentrations greater than 0.1% by weight.
3. Federal Environmental Quality Guidelines for PBDEs.
4. Development of a risk management strategy for the waste sector (i.e., landfills, incinerators and recycling facilities) that will include PBDE-containing products at end-of-life.
5. Monitoring Canadians' exposure to PBDEs and concentrations in the environment.

For reference, the December 2006 and March 2009 versions of the risk management strategy for PBDEs can be obtained at the following website address:

• Risk Management Strategy on Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (December 2006 and March 2009 Versions)

Background

Screening Assessment

Ecological and health screening assessments were conducted in 2006 to determine whether polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) met the criteria set out in paragraph 64 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999).

•  Ecological Screening Assessment Report on Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (2006)
•  State of the Science Report for a Screening Health Assessment - Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (2006)

The final decision on PBDEs was published by the Minister of the Environment and the Minister of Health on July 1, 2006 in the Canada Gazette, Part I. PBDEs have been identified as meeting the criteria under paragraph 64(a) of CEPA 1999.

•  Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 140, No. 26 - Publication of Final Decision on the Screening Assessment of Substances - Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers That Have the Molecular Formula C₁₂H_(10-n)Br_nO, in Which 4=n=9 -- (Subsection 77(6) of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999) ( PDF Version - 1910 K)

Draft Ecological State of the Science Report

A draft ecological state of the science report, which consists of an updated analysis of bioaccumulation and environmental transformation of decabromodiphenyl ether (decaBDE), was published.

Following the release of this information, there was a 60-day public comment period, from March 28, 2009 to May 27, 2009. The public comments received from stakeholders have been considered and addressed within the final ecological state of the science report, and responses to the comments received are provided at the following link:

• Summary Table of Public Comments on the Draft Ecological State of the Science Report on Decabromodiphenyl Ether and the March 2009 Revised Risk Management Strategy for Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers

Notice of Objection

A notice of objection was filed by four environmental non-profit organizations requesting the establishment of a Board of Review under subsection 332(2) and section 333 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999).

Significant new information on bioaccumulation and environmental transformation of decabromodiphenyl ether (decaBDE), which has became available since the publication of the screening assessment report, has subsequently been analyzed, and the results released in a draft state of the science report. The decision to establish a Board of Review will be taken following the finalization of this draft state of the science report.

If you have questions or comments, please contact us.