WASHINGTON – The US EPA has released a final alternatives assessment report for flame retardants used in printed circuit boards.

The report, released by the agency's Design for the Environment (DfE) program, provides human health and environmental information on 10 flame retardants used in PCBs, including the most frequently used chemical, tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBPA).

“The hazard profiles of the 10 chemicals, combined with the combustion testing results, will be useful to manufacturers in choosing safer materials and meeting environmental standards for greener or environmentally preferable electronics,” said the EPA.

The EPA uses alternatives assessments to look for safer chemicals. DfE alternatives assessments are conducted as risk management actions when warranted for TSCA Work Plan Chemicals. They have also been conducted under Chemical Action Plans. By identifying and evaluating the safety of alternative chemicals, this approach can encourage industry to move to safer alternatives; complement regulatory action by showing that safer and higher functioning alternatives are available, or point out the limitations to chemical substitution for a particular use.
 
Alternatives assessments characterize chemical hazards based on a full range of human health and environmental information. Chemical choices made based on these assessments can minimize the potential for unintended consequences that might occur in moving from a potentially problematic chemical to a poorly understood alternative, which could be more hazardous.

Register now for PCB West, the Silicon Valley's largest trade show for printed circuit board design, fabrication and assembly: Sept. 15-17 at the Santa Clara Convention Center pcbwest.com

• Prev
• Next