European lawmakers appear to be at odds over what to do about polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants. The European Environment Council at the end of September unamimously overturned a European Parliament vote to ban nearly all PBDEs. Now the ban returns to Parliament for a second reading.

PBDEs are used as flame retardants in computers, TV sets, and cars. They are considered emerging contaminants of concern because of their widespread use in consumer products, persistence, and evidence that some PBDEs bioaccumulate and exert toxic effects at low levels (Environ. Sci. Technol. 2000, 34 (9), 223A).

The Sept. 6 vote by Parliament to ban nearly all PBDE flame retardants, including octa-BDE and deca-BDE came as a surprise. The Parliament approved the European Commission (EC) proposal to ban penta-BDE. But the lawmaker’s action, based on the precautionary principle, to ban octa- and deca-BDE disregarded EC advice. European Union risk assessments for octa- and deca-BDE have not yet been completed.

The lawmakers agreed that octa-BDE and penta-BDE should be banned from use and importation by July 1, 2003. Deca-BDE should be banned by January 1, 2006, unless risk assessment results demonstrate that this is unnecessary. —REBECCA RENNER