PBDEs are a category of brominated flame retardants (BFRs). They are man-made chemical substances utilized in all kinds of merchandise reminiscent of plastics, textiles and electrical/digital gear to make them much less flammable. PBDEs can leach into the air, water, soil, meals and feed.

These contaminants primarily happen in meals of animal origin, reminiscent of fish, meat and milk. From analysis in experimental animals that was assessed within the draft opinion, specialists concluded that PBDEs might have an hostile impact on the reproductive and nervous techniques.  

The CONTAM Panel really helpful that monitoring of the presence of PBDEs in meals ought to proceed. In explicit, specialists known as for extra information on the incidence of PBDEs in toddler method and on how these substances switch from the mom to the toddler throughout being pregnant and lactation.

EFSA carried out a earlier assessment of PBDEs in 2011, when it assessed the chance for particular person PBDEs and recognized well being issues for younger folks solely. This newest draft opinion considers scientific proof that has grow to be out there since 2011 and assesses the dangers related to the mixed publicity to a few of the most regularly detected PBDEs.

This is the second scientific opinion in a collection of six opinions on the dangers posed by BFRs. The first was revealed in 2021, updating the danger evaluation of hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDDs) in food.

The EU is making efforts to cut back dangers from using BFRs. The use of sure BFRs is banned or restricted; nonetheless, due to their persistence within the setting there are nonetheless issues in regards to the dangers these chemical substances might pose to public well being.

ECHA has just lately launched its Regulatory Strategy for Flame Retardants, figuring out fragrant brominated flame retardants as candidates for EU-wide restriction. This would minimise the publicity of people to this class of compounds.

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The public session will run for six weeks. Interested stakeholders are invited to ship feedback by 20 July 2023.