by Jbs121909 c3 — December 21, 2009—As a result of negotiations with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the two companies , the two U.S. producers of decabromodiphenyl ether (decaBDE), Albemarle Corporation and Chemtura Corporation, and the largest U.S. importer, ICL Industrial Products, Inc., announced commitments to phase out decaBDE in the United States.
DecaBDE is a flame retardant which has been used in electronics, wire and cable insulation, textiles, automobiles and airplanes, and other applications.
The companies have committed to end production, importation, and sales of decaBDE for most uses in the United States by December 31, 2012, and to end all uses by the end of 2013. The company commitment letters and annual progress reports will be posted to this website.
Steve Owens, EPA assistant administrator for the Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances, issued the following statement in response to the announcement:
“Though DecaBDE has been used as a flame retardant for years, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has long been concerned about its impact on human health and the environment. Studies have shown that decaBDE persists in the environment, potentially causes cancer, and may impact brain function. DecaBDE also can degrade to more toxic chemicals that are frequently found in the environment and are hazardous to wildlife.
“Today’s announcement by these companies to phase out decaBDE is an appropriate and responsible step to protect human health and the environment.”
For more information, visit EPA’s Polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs) Web site.
