Flame retardant research and development: finding a balance between fire protection and environmental protection

Finding a balance between fire protection and environmental protection is an important node for the future development of flame retardant products. The importance of flame retardants in modern society cannot be ignored, but with the introduction of a series of environmental protection policies in Europe, their development and application have been restricted to varying degrees. How to protect people and property from the threat of fire while minimizing the potential harm of flame retardants to the human body and the environment is a key issue for domestic flame retardant manufacturers, research institutions and downstream electronics and electrical, building materials, transportation and A common focus for furniture and other industries.

Flame retardants are one of the fastest growing varieties of plastic additives. According to data, the current demand for all flame retardants has exceeded 1.2 million tons/year, including hundreds of varieties such as halogen flame retardants, phosphorus flame retardants, and inorganic flame retardants. Due to well-known environmental and toxicological reasons, the EU began to assess the potential impact of mass-produced chemicals on the environment and human health more than a decade ago. Flame retardants are no exception. Bromine-based flame retardants and phosphorus-based flame retardants have already been evaluated. Among them, the evaluation of pentabromodiphenyl ether, octabromodiphenyl ether and decabromodiphenyl ether has been completed. The European Union began to ban pentabromodiphenyl ether and octabromodiphenyl ether on August 15, 2004; the risk assessment conducted for decabromodiphenyl ether concluded that there is “no obvious risk” to human health or the environment, and no risk measures are necessary. reduction measures.

For tetrabromobisphenol A, hexabromocyclododecane, tris(2-chloroethyl)phosphate (TCEP), tris(2-chloropropyl)phosphate Other flame retardants including (TCPP), tris(2,3-dichloropropyl)phosphate (TDCP) and 2,2-di(chloromethyl)cyclopropane (V-6) are currently in the process of EU risk assessment process. At the same time, certain flame retardant synergists such as antimony trioxide (Sb2O3) are also in the EU risk assessment process. According to experts, tetrabromobisphenol A is mainly used in printed circuit boards. When used, tetrabromobisphenol A completely reacts into epoxy resin, forming the basic material of printed circuit boards. At present, the human health part of the EU risk assessment has concluded that tetrabromobisphenol A has no obvious risks and no risk reduction measures need to be taken under any circumstances; the environmental part of the risk assessment is still in progress and is expected to be completed in 2006. During the EU risk assessment process, more than 300 studies on tetrabromobisphenol A have been examined, and more in-depth research is underway.

Hexabromocyclododecane is mainly used in polystyrene insulation panels for the back coating of textile materials in construction projects. Currently, both the human health and environmental components of the EU risk assessment are still in progress. An EU-funded study of endocrine-disrupting chemicals found that hexabromocyclododecane and tetrabromobisphenol A caused no concern. The conclusion of the Comprehensive Risk Assessment Project on the Endocrine Effects of Flame Retardants also showed that the general health and toxicity parameters (behavior, survival, growth rate, and related liver and gonad quality, etc.) of hexabromocyclododecane and tetrabromobisphenol A were not affected. . There are four flame retardants currently undergoing EU risk assessment: TCEP, TCPP, TDCP and V-6, which are mainly used in polyurethane foam. The EU risk assessment for TCEP has been completed and is yet to be announced; the human health and environment portion of the risk assessment for TCPP, TDCP and V-6 is still in progress. At the same time, more testing and data collection are also underway. Some of these risk assessments are expected to be completed in 2006, while others will be completed in 2007. Sb2O3 is mainly used as a synergist for halogenated flame retardants or elastomers. Currently, the human health and environment component of the EU risk assessment is still ongoing. New discussions on the human health component took place in June this year, and the environmental component is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Any chemical substance will have advantages and disadvantages for the human body and the environment. The key to how to achieve advantages and avoid disadvantages lies in how to manage and use them correctly, especially for the application of flame retardants. We should base on the conclusions of risk assessment and adopt a scientific attitude to allow flame retardants to play their due role in ensuring the safety of human life and property. The Ministry of Public Security will implement flame retardant standards for flame retardant products in public places starting next year. The “Combustion Performance Requirements and Labeling of Flame Retardant Products and Components in Public Places” standard formulated by the Ministry of Public Security will be officially implemented early next year, which puts forward higher requirements for the flame retardant performance of plastic products. This standard was formulated by the Ministry of Public Security in order to effectively control casualties and property losses caused by fires in public places. It is managed by the Fireproof Materials Subcommittee of the National Technical Committee on Fire Protection Standardization. This standard clarifies the definition and classification of flame-retardant products and components used in public places, combustion performance requirements and labeling, etc., and stipulates building products, flooring materials, wires and cables, sockets, switches, lamps, home appliance casings, etc. used in public places. Corresponding flame retardant standard grade requirements are proposed for the burning properties of plastic products, thermal insulation layers and foam plastics used in seats, sofas and mattresses.

Disclaimer:

Disclaimer: Some of the content published on this siteSome of the text, pictures, audio, and videos in this chapter are from the Internet and do not represent the views of this website. Their copyright belongs to the original author. If you find that the information reproduced on this website infringes upon your rights, please contact us and we will change or delete it as soon as possible.