Decabromodiphenyl ether

Decabromodiphenyl ether (DecaBDE) is a brominated flame retardant and belongs to the group of polybrominated diphenylethers.

Uses
DecaBDE is used in conjunction with antimony trioxide as a flame retardant in rigid plastics used in making cars and consumer goods such as electronic appliances. Other uses are the backcoating of upholstery furniture and construction materials. The annual consumption worldwide was estimated as 56,100 tons in 2001, of which 7,600 tons were used by the European industry. The manufacture of the chemical is no longer taking place in Europe.

Relevance
DecaBDE emits from different processes to the environment. Elevated environmental concentrations can be found in the atmosphere, hydrosphere, soil, and sediments. It also occurs in sewage sludge and house dust. In an investigation carried out by the WWF, DecaBDE was found in all blood samples of EU parliamentarians.