Flame retardants: European Union risk assessments update

摘要

Flame retardants are recognized as providing lifesaving benefits to consumers by lowering product ignitability, fire development rates and smoke production. In recent years, some flame retardants have come under review by the European Union (EU) authorities in order to assess potential risks to the environment or to human health. In the period 2004-2006, a number of flame retardants will be subject to finalized European risk assessments. On behalf of the European Flame Retardant Association (EFRA),Veronique Steukers, Sander Kroon and Dieter Drohmann summarize the current situation.