Darrell, Your question on the use of polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) is a good one but difficult to tie down to a specific regulation. In my notes from a recent environmental presentation I have noted that Sweden has enacted a law with an effectivity of the year 2002 that includes PBB's, Cholroparrafins, and other halogenated solvents and flame retardants as an outright ban.
It is also a marketing issue because none of the environmental marks (ie. Blue Angel, TUV Eco Mark, White Swan, etc.) allow the use of the halogenated hydrocarbons in any of the manufacturing process or the products. The European Council Regulation 259/93/EEC of 1 February 1993 on the transporation of waste lists these type solvents on their "yellow list". They are not on their "red list" which includes such banned items as asbestos. You can research more on this issues by using such internet databases such as: The Central European Environmental Data Report at: http://pan.cedar.univie.ac.at Specific questions can be addressed to: Dr. Gordon Nelson at the Florida Institute of Technology His phone is: (407)-984-8461 He is an expert on plastics, solvents, and environmental issues. These sources can head you in the right direction to get current factual information on these evolving issues. - Nathan Belsher Nortel Research Triangle Park, NC.
