Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in China: Policies and recommendations for sound management of plastics from electronic wastes

• Published in: Journal of environmental management Vol. 115; pp. 114 - 123
• Main Authors: Ni, Kun, Lu, Yonglong, Wang, Tieyu, Shi, Yajuan, Kannan, Kurunthachalam, Xu, Li, Li, Qiushuang, Liu, Shijie
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 30.01.2013; Elsevier; Academic Press Ltd
• Subjects: analysis; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Biological and medical sciences; China; Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife; developed countries; Electrical equipment; Electronic equipment; Electronic Waste; electronic wastes; Environmental health; Environmental management; Environmental Monitoring; Environmental Monitoring - legislation & jurisprudence; Environmental Monitoring - methods; Environmental policy; flame retardants; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; Government policy; Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers - analysis; Health; human health; industry; issues and policy; legislation & jurisprudence; Management; methods; Plastics; Policies; Polybrominated diphenyl ethers; Polymers; risk; Sound; Sound management; Waste; Asia; China; China, People's Rep; Polybrominated diphenyl ethers; Policies; Plastics; Sound management; Policy; Flame retardant; Bromine Organic compounds; Environmental management; Plastic waste
• ISSN: 0301-4797; 1095-8630; 1095-8630
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2012.09.031

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), used as flame retardants (BFRs), are incorporated in plastics of most electronic equipment. Among BFR mixtures, deca-BDE is the most widely used commercial additive in the polymer industry and the use of deca-BDE is currently not subject to any restrictions in China. However, debate over environmental and health risks associated with deca-BDE still remains. Regulatory agencies in developed countries have adopted and/or established environmentally sound strategies for the management of potential threat posed by PBDEs to the environment and human health. No regulations or management policies for PBDEs currently exist in China at either central or provincial government levels. Large amounts of plastics containing PBDEs are still in use and must be disposed of after their lifetimes, creating outdoor reservoirs for the future dispersal of PBDEs into the environment. Concerted action is needed not only to regulate the production and use of PBDEs but also to find ways to effectively manage waste electrical and electronic products that contain PBDEs. This article is the first to investigate the policy issues and current problems related to the use of PBDEs in China. In addition, we estimate the mass flows of PBDEs contained in Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) in China. We suggest alternatives to PBDEs and sound management of plastics used in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) that contain PBDEs. ► This is the first paper to provide policy issues about PBDEs in China. ► We put forward existing problems on PBDE law and policy enforcement in China. ► BDE congeners in EEE waste that is recycled accounted for the largest proportion. ► Decabromodiphenyl ethane was deemed as suitable alternatives to deca-BDE in China. ► Mechanical and feedstock recycling are sound PBDE management options.