Material Safety Data Sheet for Decabromodiphenylethane (DBDPE)

Identification

Product Name: Decabromodiphenylethane
Synonyms: 1,2-Bis(pentabromophenyl)ethane, DBDPE
Chemical Family: Brominated flame retardants
Molecular Formula: C14H4Br10
Molecular Weight: 971.23 g/mol
CAS Number: 84852-53-9
Recommended Use: Industrial flame retardant for plastics, electronics, textiles
Supplier: Contact manufacturer or distributor for specific details
Emergency Contact: Refer to local regulations and supplier's emergency response number

Hazard Identification

Physical State: Solid, powder or granules
GHS Classification: Acute aquatic toxicity (Category 1), Chronic aquatic toxicity (Category 1)
Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Statements: Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects
Precautionary Statements: Avoid release to the environment, Wear suitable protective equipment, Wash thoroughly after handling, Collect spillage
Potential Health Effects: Eye and respiratory tract irritation can result from dust exposure; ingestion not recommended due to possible gastrointestinal discomfort; no established carcinogenicity or mutagenicity for DBDPE itself, but chronic exposure to dust should be minimized
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin contact, ingestion

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: Decabromodiphenylethane
CAS Number: 84852-53-9
Concentration: >98%
Impurities: May include trace amounts of other brominated compounds
Additives: None identified for standard technical grade
Formulation: Product generally provided as a powdered or granulated mixture containing primarily DBDPE

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move to fresh air, keep person warm and at rest, seek medical attention for persistent symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath
Skin Contact: Wash area thoroughly with water and mild soap, remove contaminated clothing, get medical advice if irritation or rash occurs
Eye Contact: Rinse immediately with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, hold eyelids apart, remove contact lenses if present and easy to do, continue rinsing, consult a physician if discomfort persists
Ingestion: Rinse mouth thoroughly, do not induce vomiting, seek medical attention if material is swallowed and symptoms occur
Advice for Medical Responders: Treat symptomatically, provide respiratory support if needed, observe for delayed pulmonary effects

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, dry chemical, carbon dioxide, foam
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Avoid high-pressure water streams that may spread burning powder
Special Hazards: Decomposition by fire may release hydrogen bromide and carbon oxides; dense smoke possible
Protective Equipment and Precautions: Firefighters should use self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective clothing
Additional Information: Cool exposed containers with water to prevent rupture; contain runoff to avoid environmental contamination

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Use dust respirator, gloves, and protective clothing; ventilate area
Environmental Precautions: Prevent product from entering drains, soil, or watercourses
Containment: Collect spilled powder using non-sparking tools and place in tightly sealed containers for proper disposal
Cleanup Methods: Vacuum or sweep up without generating dust, avoid dry sweeping, clean area thoroughly
Waste Disposal: Dispose of collected material in accordance with local, regional, and national regulations, avoid release to the environment

Handling and Storage

Safe Handling: Handle with proper protective equipment to minimize dust exposure, avoid eating, drinking, or smoking in use areas
Precautions: Keep containers closed when not in use, avoid contact with incompatible materials, use in well-ventilated areas
Storage Requirements: Store in a dry, cool, well-ventilated location, away from direct sunlight and sources of ignition
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizing agents, acids
Packaging Materials: Store in original packaging or compatible containers designed for chemical storage

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Occupational Exposure Limits: No established national limits for DBDPE, use general nuisance dust limits (respirable fraction: 3 mg/m³, inhalable fraction: 10 mg/m³)
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation or process enclosure to reduce airborne dust
Personal Protective Equipment: NIOSH-approved dust respirator, chemical-resistant gloves, safety goggles, long-sleeved protective clothing
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands and face after handling, remove and wash contaminated clothing before reuse
Environmental Controls: Use pollution control measures as required to prevent workplace and environmental contamination

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: White to off-white powder or granules
Odor: Odorless
pH: Not applicable (insoluble in water)
Boiling Point: Decomposes before boiling
Melting Point: 350–370°C (decomposition may start in this range)
Flash Point: Not readily flammable
Solubility: Virtually insoluble in water; slightly soluble in organic solvents
Vapor Pressure: Essentially zero at ambient temperature
Density: About 3.3–3.5 g/cm³
Partition Coefficient (log Kow): Estimated at around 11, indicating strong bioaccumulation potential
Other Properties: Negligible volatility, stable under recommended storage and handling conditions

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under normal conditions of use and storage
Reactivity: Nonreactive under standard environmental and use situations
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Heating or burning creates hydrogen bromide, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide
Conditions to Avoid: Excessive heat, open flames, prolonged exposure to sunlight
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizers may cause hazardous reactions
Polymerization: Not expected to occur

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: Low oral and inhalation toxicity in animal studies; LD50 (oral, rat) >5000 mg/kg
Chronic Toxicity: No clear evidence for chronic human toxicity but long-term data lacking
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Slight skin irritant in laboratory tests
Eye Damage/Irritation: Mild, reversible irritation possible
Sensitization: No evidence of skin sensitization reported
Mutagenicity and Carcinogenicity: No data indicate carcinogenic or mutagenic risk at currently understood exposure levels
Other Potential Effects: Dust inhalation may cause respiratory tract irritation

Ecological Information

Ecotoxicity: Very toxic to aquatic organisms, long-term effects due to extreme persistence and bioaccumulation
Persistence and Degradability: Highly persistent in soil, sediment, and water; not readily biodegradable
Bioaccumulative Potential: High potential for bioaccumulation in aquatic and terrestrial food webs
Mobility in Soil: Likely to partition to sediments and particulate matter; low mobility in groundwater
Other Adverse Effects: Concern in the scientific community over transfer and accumulation in ecosystems; long-term monitoring recommended

Disposal Considerations

Disposal Methods: Use a licensed hazardous waste contractor; incinerate in permitted facility with proper technology to handle brominated compounds; avoid landfill disposal if possible
Packaging Disposal: Dispose of contaminated packaging as hazardous waste in accordance with local, regional, and national regulations
Special Precautions: Never dump into sewers, water bodies, or onto the ground; prevent environmental release during handling

Transport Information

UN Number: Not classified as dangerous goods for transport
Proper Shipping Name: Not a regulated material under most international transport codes
Hazard Class: N/A
Packing Group: N/A
Special Precautions for Transport: Avoid breakage or scattering of powder during loading/unloading; label containers clear of hazards to sensitive environments
Transport in Bulk: Take care to prevent dust generation and environmental release; comply with bulk shipment regulations where applicable

Regulatory Information

International Inventory Status: Listed on TSCA (USA), EINECS/ELINCS (EU), DSL (Canada), and other chemical inventories
SARA Title III: Not subject to Section 313 reporting
REACH: Registered; subject to certain use restrictions in EU under environmental regulations
OSHA: Not listed as hazardous under OSHA Hazard Communication Standard
California Proposition 65: Not currently listed
Other Regulations: Subject to restrictions or reporting under national and state/provincial environmental laws due to bioaccumulative properties; check specific requirements for local jurisdiction and export/import controls
Worker Protection: Employers must comply with workplace safety laws regarding hazardous substances and provide access to this data sheet