Susan D. Landry

Life-cycle environmental impact of flame retarded electrical and electronic equipment

In the ever-growing and constantly changing world of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), issues of lifecycle environmental impact are a major concern. Recyclability, as well as safety and compliance with regulatory issues are a few of the important factors that encompass end-of-life management. The use of flame retardants in EEE is known to significantly reduce fire risks, thus saving lives and the destruction of property Proposed European directives regarding waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) and the restriction on the use of certain hazardous substances in EEE (RoHS) will have an important impact on the selection criteria of flame retardants used in EEE. This paper examines the contributions that particular flame retardants can make towards meeting these various demands. Included in the paper are results from recycle studies, physical property evaluations, and dioxin analysis of UL-94 V-0 rated high-impact-polystyrene formulations containing ethane 1,2 bis (pentabromophenyl) and ethylene 1,2 bis(tetrabromophthalimide) flame retardants. The conclusions of these evaluations show the benefits of using these flame retardants in HIPS resins for EEE applications.

End-of-life and regulatory issues for flame retardant plastics used in electrical and electronic equipment applications

Various brominated and phosphorus flame retardants are used in many electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) applications. The use of flame retardants in these applications delays the spread of fires or delays the time of flashover, hence saving lives and property. An estimated 190 lives are saved annually through the use of flame retardants in television cabinets in the US. With the use of flame retardants come questions related to risk in use and end-of-life options for plastics containing these materials. European Risk Assessment for several flame retardants is now in progress. Research has been ongoing to study various end-of-life options, such as recycle, feedstock recovery, and waste-to-energy recovery (incineration). This paper is a continuation of previous papers that address issues related to end-of-life, risk in use, and benefits of plastics containing flame retardants. An update of the current results of the European Risk Assessments is included Results of recent research aimed at determining the recyclability of plastics containing flame retardants under a variety of conditions are included The conclusions of these evaluations show the benefits in terms of fire safety and end-of-life options for EEE containing flame retardant resins.

Recyclability of flame retardant plastics

In the electrical and electronic equipment market, technological advances have prompted phenomenal growth in the past decade. This growth has brought on a worldwide consciousness regarding the environmental effects of materials used in this market. Safety, compliance with regulatory requirements, and recyclability are only a few of the issues that influence materials selection in the electrical and electronic equipment market. It is well known that the use of flame-retardants in equipment housings and internal components significantly reduce fire risks saving lives and destruction of property. This paper examines the contributions that ethane 1,2-bis(pentabromophenyl) and ethylene 1,2-bis(tetrabromophthalimide) can make towards meeting these various demands. Data reported includes recycle studies, physical property evaluations, and dioxin analysis of V-0 high impact polystyrene (HIPS) resins containing these flame-retardants. Conclusions drawn show the benefits of using such resins in electrical and electronic equipment.

Sustainable developments for flame retardants

CHANGING chemical regulation and mounting market pressure are impacting many of the items we use on a daily basis, such as electrical equipment. The implications of the changing regulatory programs worldwide impact a broad range of materials, including flame retardants. Emerging chemical regulations are focusing on the need for characterizing all chemical substances in use in terms of their environmental and human health impacts.

Excellent product stewardship and sustainable use of plastics additives in the electronics industry

Plastics are used in numerous electrical and electronic products that help make our lives easier and more productive. Plastics provide a balance of performance characteristics that no other class of materials can match. They play an integral part in weight reduction and part miniaturization. Many different types of additives are used in plastics to improve property performance, aid in processing, or achieve various end use characteristics. Examples of plastic additive classes include plasticizers, fillers, flame retardants, antioxidants, and UV stabilizers. While these materials serve a valuable purpose in electronic equipment, it is important to exercise good product stewardship to minimize impact to the environment or humans and to assure sustainability. A product stewardship initiative called the Voluntary Emissions Control Action Program (VECAP™) has been launched as part of Industrys commitment to responsible handling of plastic additives. The responsible management of health, safety, and environmental aspects of plastics additives throughout the life cycle are addressed through the VECAP Code of Good Practices. The principles utilized within VECAP were developed to address emissions of plastic additives but are applicable to any chemical solid or liquid. The program was introduced around 2004 in the UK to address flame retardants, with Industry taking steps to ensure emission reductions and overall product sustainability. Program participants that commit to applying the VECAP pro-active product stewardship practices, help to ensure that the safe and environmentally responsible use of flame retardants can continue. This paper addresses the details and progress of VECAP and potential benefits to the plastics and electronics industry.

Preparation the sustainable use of flame retardants in the electronics industry

The electronics industry is being impacted by changing chemical regulations in Europe and North America. The implications of programs, such as, EU Risk Assessment under Regulation (EEC) 797/93, REACH, and RoHS affect a broad range of materials, including flame retardants. Industry is responding to the challenge to ensure that flame retardants are sustainable. Environmental criteria alone are not sufficient to guarantee availability of flame retardants for the future.

Electrical & Electronic Equipment: Flame Retardant Regulatory Issues

Plastics are used in numerous electrical and electronic products that help make our lives easier and more productive. Many of these products that we use on a daily basis contain flame retardants as a passive means of fire protection to help safeguard society. In the end-use application, flame retardants delay the spread of fires or delay the time of flashover in order to enable people more time to escape the effects of the fires. The ultimate purpose of their use is to save lives, reduce injury, reduce destruction of property, and reduce local pollutants that result from fires. Research confirms that since the use of flame retardants in TV applications began, a substantial reduction in fire deaths has been achieved. The primary flame retardant resins used in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) housings include HIPS, ABS, PC/ABS blends, and PPO/HIPS blends. Brominated flame retardants are utilized in EEE applications containing HIPS and ABS resins, while phosphorus flame retardants are normally utilized in PC/ABS blends and PPO/HIPS blends. The printed wiring boards in EEE applications contain a polymeric coating that typically has a flame retardant reacted into the polymer backbone. There are other flame retardant plastics contained in EEE, such as connectors and wire & cable coatings that contain a variety of flame retardants, depending on the particular resin used. Flame retardants have received a considerable amount of negative publicity due to perceived environmental and toxicological issues.