Polybromodiphenyl ethers (Decabromodiphenyl ether)

Key Points

Fire

• Non flammable
• Degrades to lower brominated diphenyl ethers when exposed to UV light and when heated to decomposition
• In the event of a fire involving polybromodiphenyl ethers, use fine water spray and normal fire kit with breathing apparatus

Health

• Decabromodiphenyl ether (Deca-BDE) has a low acute toxicity following inhalation, ingestion or dermal exposure
• Likely targets for toxicity of lower brominated polybromodiphenyl ether (PBDEs) in humans include the liver and thyroid

Environment

• Avoid release into the environment
• Inform Environment Agency of substantial incidents

All sections are available to download in PDF format below:

• Polybromodiphenyl ethers - Full Document (PDF, 106 KB)
• General Information (PDF, 57 KB)
• Incident Management (PDF, 37 KB)
• Toxicological Overview (PDF, 43 KB)