Decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE) - information sheet

Benzene, 1,1'-(1,2-ethanediyl)bis [2,3,4,5,6-pentabromo-decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE)
CAS Registry Number 84852-53-9

Publications summarized:

The Government of Canada conducts risk assessments of substances under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA) to determine whether they present or may present a risk to human health or to the environment.
- The risks posed by a substance are determined by both its hazardous properties (potential to cause adverse human health or ecological effects) and the amount or extent of exposure to people and the environment.
- When needed, the Government applies risk management instruments under CEPA and other federal acts to help prevent or reduce potential harm.
As a result of the screening assessment, it was concluded that DBDPE is not harmful to human health; however, it is harmful to the environment at levels of exposure considered in the assessment. DBDPE may cause effects on organisms and plants. Risk management actions have been proposed to help reduce risk to the environment.

The screening assessment focused 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 the assessment is benzene, 1,1'-(1,2-ethanediyl)bis [2,3,4,5,6-pentabromo-, also referred to as decabromodiphenyl ethane or DBDPE.
DBDPE does not occur naturally in the environment. According to information gathered by the Government, DBDPE is used in Canada as an additive flame retardant in many applications, such as plastic and rubber materials, electrical and electronic equipment, adhesives and sealants.

The main source of exposure for people in Canada is expected to be from the indoor environment as DBDPE is commonly found in house dust. This may be from electronic equipment containing DBDPE or from dust transported into homes from outside environments.
DBDPE may be released to the Canadian environment from waste streams or effluents in industrial processing activities. Releases to the environment may also occur from products available to consumers or commercial products.

On the basis of the available information, no effects on human health were identified.
The substance has the potential to cause reproductive effects to earthworms at high concentrations, as well as effects on plant survival and growth.
Although degradation (break down) of DBDPE is expected to be slow, it may transform in the environment into substances that would be persistent, bioaccumulative in some cases, and may be harmful to organisms.

Given the information available on potential human health effects, DBDPE is not a concern to human health.
However, due to the potential hazardous effects of the break down products of DBDPE, it may pose a risk to organisms.
Considering all information presented, it was determined that there is risk of harm to the environment.

The Government concluded that DBDPE is not harmful to human health at levels of exposure considered in the assessment.
However, the Government also concluded that DBDPE is entering or may enter the environment at levels that are harmful to the environment.
It was also determined that DBDPE meets the persistence criteria, but not the bioaccumulation criteria as set out in the Persistence and Bioaccumulation Regulations of CEPA. DBDPE may contribute to the formation of persistent, bioaccumulative, and inherently toxic substances when it breaks down in the environment.

On February 26, 2025, benzene, 1,1'-(1,2-ethanediyl)bis[2,3,4,5,6-pentabromo-, also known as decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE) was added to Part 2 of Schedule 1 to CEPA. Adding a substance to Schedule 1 does not restrict its use, manufacture or import. Rather, it enables the Government to take enforceable risk management actions under CEPA.
- Toxic substances that pose the highest risk (that is, meet certain criteria) are added to Part 1 of Schedule 1. These are prioritized for total, partial, or conditional prohibition.
- Other toxic substances are added to Part 2 of Schedule 1 and are prioritized for pollution prevention actions, which may include prohibition.
- Regulations specifying criteria for the classification of substances that pose the highest risk or that are carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction will be developed. When criteria are available, some substances considered for addition to Part 2 of Schedule 1 may instead be considered for addition to Part 1 of Schedule 1.
The Government published the Proposed Risk Management Approach for DBDPE on May 11, 2019 for a 30-day public comment period.
Risk management actions and consultations that have or will take place, including use of the proposed Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2022 for DBDPE, are outlined in the Risk management action milestones section of the Certain Organic Flame Retardants Substance Grouping page.

The Government is taking risk management actions on DBDPE to address ecological concerns. Updates on actions can be found on the timeline for the Certain Organic Flame Retardants Substance Grouping.
Up-to-date information on the Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2022 (proposed), and additional information on the risk management of substances as well as a table of risk management actions for substances addressed under the CMP is available.
Use the Substances Search tool to find substances that are referenced in certain legislative or regulatory instruments or on Government of Canada websites.

A summary of the risk assessment and management of flame retardant substances, under the CMP, is available.
Assessments conducted under CEPA focus on risks of exposure of the general population. Hazards related to chemicals used in the workplace are defined within the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS). If a substance is harmful to the general population, it could also be of concern for individuals in situations where a higher volume of the substance is used or where the substance is used for a longer duration (for example, the workplace). The Government of Canada recognizes that it is the responsibility of the federal, provincial and territorial occupational health and safety organizations to coordinate legislation for the safe use of chemicals in the workplace. We are working to support this role by integrating the information, tools, and technical expertise of the CMP and Health Canada's Workplace Hazardous Products Program.