Brominated Flame Retardant BFR Use in Electrical and Electronic Equipment

1
Brominated Flame Retardant (BFR) Use in
Electrical and Electronic Equipment
2
BFR Use in Electrical and Electronic
Equipment

• Brominated Flame Retardants (BFRs) are a family
  of 75 chemical substances with different
  properties, characteristics, and performance.
• Only common point all contain bromine an
  element that is available in nature.
• BFRs are added to plastics used in electrical and
  electronic equipment (EEE) to slow down or
  prevent the ignition of fire

3
Flame Retardants Dramatically Reduce Fire Risk
and Save Lives

• Flame Retardants, when used in EEE, may save
  lives and reduce property damage by preventing
  the spread of flame and fire.
• Fire statistics suggest that the risk of death or
  injury from fires involving consumer products can
  be reduced 30 to 90 percent or more by using
  flame retardants.1

1. IPC White Paper and Technical Report on
Halogen-Free Materials Used for Printed Circuit
Boards and Assemblies
4
Flame Retardant Effectiveness

• Will insert table from studies showing difference
  in fire rates in US and Europe due to FR use.

5
Unique Characteristics of BFRs

• Historically, BFRs have been widely added to
  plastics used in electrical and electronic
  equipment (EEE).
• Why? BFRs provide excellent fire retardancy
  benefits at low cost.
• Only small amounts of BFRs are needed to provide
  fire protection, resulting in no alteration of
  physical properties of electric and electronic
  equipment.

6
Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBBs)

• PBBs have been found to be persistent,
  bioaccumulative toxins
• PBBs are classified possible carcinogens
• Most production of PBBs ceased in the 1970s.
• Major manufacturers prohibit their use
• Result rarely found in EEE manufactured today

7
Penta- and Octa- Brominated Diphenyl Ethers (BDEs)

• Penta- and Octa- BDEs are considered possible
  endocrine disruptors
• The European Union and the state of California
  have banned the use of penta- and octa- BDEs in
  EEE sold in the EU by 2006.
• Recently US states have considered and enacted
  similar bans (Maine, California, Hawaii).
• The chemical industry has voluntarily agreed to
  stop production of these BFRs in the US by 2004.
• Major manufacturers prohibit their use
• Result rarely found in EEE manufactured today

8
Deca-Brominated Diphenyl Ethers

• Deca-BDE is still used as a flame retardant in
  some plastic housings, particularly in TVs
• The use of Deca-BDE is not currently banned in
  any country.

9
Scientific Studies on Deca-BDE

• The EU recently conducted a risk assessment of
  Deca-BDE and concluded that the chemical presents
  an acceptably low risk to the environment.
• Other studies (National Academy of Sciences,
  World Health Organization) also found the risks
  posed by Deca-BDE to be insignificant.
• To address continuing concerns regarding Deca-BDE
  persistence and bioaccumulation, industry will be
  developing voluntary risk reduction and
  monitoring strategies.

10
Tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBPA)

• TBBPA is the leading flame retardant used in
  circuit boards (95) and computer chip casings
• TBBPA is used because it is cost effective,
  compatible with circuit board components, and
  qualified for use on a worldwide basis.
• TBBPA in circuit boards is bound into the polymer
  structure and does not pose exposure risks

11
Scientific Studies of TBBPA

• The use of TBBPA is not restricted in any
  country.
• The World Health Organization conducted a
  scientific assessment of TBBPA and found that the
  risk for the general population is considered to
  be insignificant.
• Six separate studies published between 1990 and
  1997 support the conclusion that the manufacture,
  use and disposal of information technology
  devices containing TBBPA-flame retarded printed
  circuit boards do not increase human dioxin
  exposure.
• The EU is currently conducting a risk assessment
  for TBBPA. In October 2003, UK Rapporteur
  confirmed no health effects of concern for TBBPA.
• US National Toxicology Program is currently
  studying TBBPA

12
Summary of Legal Restrictions on BFRs in EEE
13
Alternatives to BFRs

• Due to concerns over BFRs, the electrical and
  electronic industries continue to seek effective
  alternatives to BFRs
• Many companies striving to reduce or eliminate
  BFRs where technically feasible and alternatives
  achieve equivalent or superior flame retardancy.
• Search for alternatives is complicated by limited
  alternatives and possible risks posed by those
  alternatives.

14
Deca-BDE Substitution

• The effectiveness of this substance as a flame
  retardant is currently unsurpassed. Although
  there are potential substitutes they have
  functional disadvantages.
• These substitutes would need to be added to a
  much higher percentage thus changing important
  characteristics of the designed parts.
• The important issue with any substitutes concerns
  the fire resistance requirements that demand
  higher effective solutions

15
Assessment of BFR Alternatives

• Lifecycle impacts are key!
• Design, Use, and End-of-Life
• Is alternative truly better for the environment?
• Can it meet same technical and functionality
  requirements?
• Are the alternatives compatible with higher
  lead-free processing temperatures?
• Will it decrease product safety or reliability?
• What are the tradeoffs?

16
Trade-offs of BFR Alternatives in Circuit Boards
Source HDP User Group, International Inc.
17
End-of-Life Restrictions on BFRs

• It is important to note that BFRs are present in
  historical and current EEE
• As mandates are enacted that require the EEE
  industries to increase their use of recycled
  plastics, it is important to ensure that BFR
  restrictions do not apply to recycled resins.

18
Future BFR Use in the Electronic Industries

• The production of PBB, penta BDE and Octa BDE has
  stopped or will stop by 2004.
• Existing risk assessments do not demonstrate a
  public health or environmental concern from
  Deca-BDE or TBBPA.
• Any mandated restrictions on Deca-BDE or TBBPA
  could cost lives and increase property damage by
  restricting the industrys use of effective flame
  retardants.
• BFR restrictions should not apply to recycled
  plastic resins.
• Industry will voluntarily continue to look for
  alternatives to BFRs.

19
Back-up Slides
20
WW Consumption of Flame Retardants
Source CEFIC-EFRA, 2001
21
Total BFR Use by all Industries
Source BSEF, 2003
22
BFR Use by EEE Industries
Source BSEF, 2000