Waste 2 Resources > PBT Initiative > Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs)

What are PBDEs?

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), are flame retardant chemicals added to a wide variety of household products to delay combustion. PBDEs have been used extensively for the last 30 years with the U.S. and Canada being the largest consumers. Studies have shown that PBDEs are escaping from these products and are accumulating in people and the environment throughout the world. The highest levels of PBDEs have been found in the U.S. and Canada and are more than 10 times higher than those found in Europe. PBDEs have been found in human breast milk, blood and fat, house dust and indoor air, fish, wildlife, birds, beef, dairy products and sediments.

There are three main types of PBDEs used in consumer products: Penta-BDE, Octa-BDE and Deca-BDE. Each of these types of PBDEs has different uses and different toxicity. Manufacturers of Penta-BDE and Octa-BDE have agreed to voluntarily stop producing these two forms of PBDEs by the end of 2004. Deca-BDE was not part of this agreement and currently makes up 80 percent of overall PBDE use in the US.

PBDE Law
The PBDE Law, became effective in July 2007.  Under this law:

• Effective January 1, 2008, no person may manufacture, knowingly sell, or distribute for in-state use products containing polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs).  Click here for de minimis guidance regarding the Department of Ecology's implementation of this provision.

• The prohibition has several exceptions:
• products containing Deca-BDE, except for mattresses (prohibition effective January 1, 2008), and except for residential upholstered furniture, and televisions or computers with electronic enclosures containing commercial Deca-BDE (prohibition effective January 1, 2011, if a safer and technically feasible alternative that meets applicable fire safety standards is available);
• used transportation vehicles and used or new parts manufactured before January 1, 2008, containing PBDEs;
• equipment containing PBDEs used primarily for military or federally funded space program applications;
• Federal Aviation Administration fire worthiness requirements and recommendations;
• new raw material or parts used in transportation vehicles containing Deca-BDE;
• use of Deca-BDE in transportation equipment;
• sale or distribution of any used product containing PBDEs;
• any new product with recycled or used materials containing Deca-BDE;
• sale or purchase of any previously owned product containing PBDEs made in casual or isolated sales and to sales by nonprofit organizations;
• new carpet cushion made from recycled foam with less than one-tenth of 1 percent Penta-BDE; and
• medical devices.

• The Department of Ecology (Ecology) and the Department of Health (DOH) produced a report to the legislature to review risk assessments, scientific studies, and other relevant findings regarding alternatives to the use of commercial Deca-BDE in residential upholstered furniture, televisions, and computers. 

The PBDE Law resulted from the Chemical Action Plan for PBDEs published in January 2006.