Thermal formation of PBDD/F from tetrabromobisphenol A--a comparison of polymer linked TBBP A with its additive incorporation in thermoplastics.

For a long period, polybrominated flame retardants are under discussion because of the formation of polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PBDD)/dibenzofurans (PBDF) (PBDD/F) in case of thermal stress. Concerning polymer linked tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBP A), formation of PBDD/F was commonly presumed to be sterically hindered because of the covalent fixation into the polymer backbone. Combustion experiments with additively incorporated TBBP A compared with its polymer linkage revealed, that this assumption is incorrect and has to be revised.