Media Release - FLAME RETARDANT RISKS NEED MORE
INVESTIGATION
05 Jun 2001
The National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme
(NICNAS) today released the report on its preliminary assessment of
polybrominated flame retardants (PBFRs), undertaken after concerns were
raised about their health and environmental effects.
PBFRs are not manufactured in Australia but imported as pure chemicals
or mixtures, or in polymer resins or extruded polystyrene foam boards.
The primary health concerns revolve around the potential of some PBFRs
to act as carcinogens, endocrine disruptors and neurodevelopmental
toxicants.
PBFRs are used in furnishing, textiles, foams and building and
engineering, as well as car and electronics manufacturing.
There is a potential for exposure among workers who are involved in the
formulation of flame retarded resins and polymers, particularly where
weighing and mixing are carried out in manual and open systems, and
where minimal personal protective equipment is used.
Given the widespread public contact with products containing PBFRs in
Australia, and the lack of information about exposure levels for the
general public, it is currently not possible to determine whether their
use poses any risks.
NICNAS therefore recommends that a full risk assessment be considered
for this group of chemicals, following completion of testing overseas
under an OECD chemical safety program.
The full text of the report is available from the NICNAS website at the
PEC 20
page.
About NICNAS
The National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme
(NICNAS) operates under the Commonwealth Industrial Chemicals
(Notification and Assessment) Act 1989.
NICNAS is a statutory scheme within the portfolio of the Minister for
Health and Ageing. Its approach to the scientific assessment of
chemicals covers toxicity, exposure and use to assess the environmental,
public health and occupational health and safety risk. For more
information see the web site
www.nicnas.gov.au
Further information
Nick Miller, NICNAS, (02) 8577 8810 or 0407 228 285
