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NTP Review of Halogenated Flame Retardants

chair burning

Substance Overview

Halogenated flame retardants encompass a large group of bromine or chlorine-containing chemicals that all share a similar function (i.e., fire retardation). Apart from containing one or more halogens, these chemicals can significantly differ in their physical, structural, and chemical properties.

Status: Cancer hazard evaluation for potential listing in the Report on Carcinogens (RoC)

Primary Uses or Exposures

  • Halogenated flame retardants have been applied to numerous products, including furniture, mattresses, carpets, electronic devices, building and construction materials, and transportation products.
  • Exposure to halogenated flame retardants can occur through inhalation, ingestion, and dermal routes.
  • Halogenated flame retardants are widely detected in human biological sampling due to continued exposure to contaminated product, their persistence in the environment, long half-lives in humans, and an expanded list of replacement flame retardant chemicals.
  • Certain occupations, including firefighting, manufacturing, construction, and service industries, may be exposed to higher concentrations of halogenated flame retardants than the general population.
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Documents

Documents for Selected Wood Smoke
Date Document
Oct 7, 2015 Federal Register notice requesting public comment on nominated substances 
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