Benzene, 1,3,5-tribromo-2-(2-propenyloxy)- (ATE) - information sheet

Benzene, 1,3,5-tribromo-2-(2-propenyloxy)-
CAS Registry Number 3278-89-5

Overview

The Government of Canada prepared a state of the science (SOS) report to review the current science on ATE and provide an updated analysis of potential for harm to Canadians and the environment.
Under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999), the risk posed by a substance is determined by considering both its hazardous properties (its potential to cause adverse human health or ecological effects) and the amount of exposure there is to people and the environment. A substance may have hazardous properties; however, the risk to human health or to the environment may be low depending upon the level of exposure.
- More information on assessing risk can be found in the Overview of Risk Assessment and related fact sheets, particularly on Types of Risk Assessment Documents and the Risk Assessment Toolbox.
At current levels of exposure, ATE is not considered harmful to human health or the environment.

This SOS report focuses on 1 of 10 substances referred to collectively under the Chemicals Management Plan (CMP) as the Certain Organic Flame Retardants Substance Grouping which includes organic substances having similar function: application to materials to slow the ignition and spread of fire. The substance addressed in this report is benzene, 1,3,5-tribromo-2-(2-propenyloxy)-, also referred to as 2,4,6-tribromophenyl allyl ether or ATE.
ATE does not occur naturally in the environment.
The Government gathers information on substances, including details on sources and uses in Canada, to support the risk assessment and management of substances under the CMP.
According to information gathered by the Government, ATE is expected to be used in Canada as a flame retardant for expandable polystyrene (EPS), polyolefin, polyamide/polyimide wire insulation, adhesives, coatings and industrial textiles.

ATE is found in commercial products and products available to consumers, such as electronics and EPS. Release from electronic products is not expected, and although release from expandable polystyrene or EPS would be expected, it would be minimal and diffuse.
ATE may be released to the Canadian environment as a result of industrial use to manufacture products.

National and international reports of data and laboratory studies were reviewed and no effects on human health have been identified for ATE.
ATE has the potential to cause adverse effects to aquatic organisms at low concentrations.

Exposure of the general population through the environment and products available to consumers in Canada is expected to be low, and therefore the potential harm to human health is considered to be low.
Considering the information available, there is currently a low potential for harm to the environment from ATE.
Estimated levels of exposure of ATE are not indicative of harm to the environment or to human health; however there may be concerns if import and use quantities were to increase in Canada.
The Government of Canada published the Final State of the Science Report for ATE on May 11, 2019.

ATE is not on the Domestic Substances List and is subject to the New Substances Notifications Regulations (Chemicals and Polymers) of CEPA 1999, which requires pre-market notification of any new import or manufacture of this substance and will allow restrictions to be put in place, as needed.