In the rapid development of the electronics and electrical industry, the application of flame retardants has become increasingly widespread, but the environmental and health issues they bring have also become more prominent. With global emphasis on environmental protection and sustainable development, green chemical alternatives have become an important trend in industry development.

According to United Nations statistics, global e-waste generation reached 53.6 million tons in 2019, with only 17.4% effectively recycled and reused. In these discarded electronic products, widely used flame retardants not only remain in the products but also enter the human body and environment through use and disposal, posing threats to ecosystems and human health.

I. Hazards of Flame Retardants

阻燃劑根據(jù)其化學結(jié)構(gòu)和性質(zhì)可分為氯系、溴系、磷基、氮系和無機等類別。其中，部分阻燃劑如PBDEs、TBBPA、HBCD、TDCPP和Firemaster 550等因具有高持久性、生物累積、生物放大和遠距離遷移特征，可能導致生殖、發(fā)育、神經(jīng)、內(nèi)分泌和免疫系統(tǒng)毒性，甚至癌癥。

II. Exposure Pathways of Flame Retardants

Flame retardants primarily enter the human body through air, dust, food, and water, with children at higher risk due to hand-to-mouth behavior and higher breathing rates. During fires, toxic gases released by flame retardants and their combustion byproducts pose direct threats to frontline workers such as firefighters. Additionally, handling discarded products containing flame retardants during burning, dismantling, and recycling operations exposes workers to higher risks.

III. Regulatory Oversight and Industry Certifications

To address the hazards of flame retardants, countries and regions have strengthened relevant regulations and introduced industry standards such as TCO and EPEAT certifications. These standards require flame retardants in products to pass GreenScreen assessments and achieve a hazard rating of Level 2 or higher. For example, the revised Environmental Protection Law signed by the Governor of New York State imposes strict restrictions on flame retardants in upholstered furniture, mattresses, and electronic display enclosures.

IV. Green Chemical Alternatives

Under the trend of green and sustainable development, product requirements are gradually shifting, posing challenges to flame retardant raw materials. The industry is transitioning from passive restrictions to actively phasing out hazardous flame retardants. When selecting alternatives, factors such as cost, performance, and hazards must be considered to ensure one hazardous chemical is not replaced by another. This process requires the joint efforts of chemists, toxicologists, and formulators.

The GreenScreen assessment method recommended by the United Nations UNEP has been widely adopted by international organizations, government agencies, and industry certifications. This method evaluates not only performance but also the hazards of chemicals, helping manufacturers choose safer green flame retardants.