Product Name: Tetrabromobisphenol A
Chemical Formula: C15H12Br4O2
Chemical Family: Brominated Flame Retardant
CAS Number: 79-94-7
Synonyms: 4,4'-Isopropylidenebis(2,6-dibromophenol); TBBPA
Use: Common additive for plastics, printed circuit boards, and electronics
Manufacturer/Supplier: Information available from the safety data provider or purchasing group
Contact Number: Emergency contact through local fire department or supplier safety hotline
GHS Classification: Eye Irritation Category 2A, Skin Irritation Category 2, STOT-SE Category 3
Label Elements: Warning symbols for health hazard
Hazard Statements: Causes skin and serious eye irritation. May cause respiratory irritation.
Precautionary Statements: Avoid inhalation of dust, prevent contact with eyes and skin, use protective clothing
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin and eye contact
Potential Health Effects: Short-term effects include irritation to eyes, skin, and respiratory tract. Repeated or prolonged exposure may impact thyroid hormone balance and liver function. Some studies point to environmental persistence and possible endocrine effects, raising concerns about ongoing use and disposal.
Target Organs: Eyes, skin, respiratory tract, liver, thyroid gland
Chemical Name: Tetrabromobisphenol A
Concentration: >95% (pure product, minor impurities possible)
Impurities/Additives: May include trace solvents, dust, or reaction byproducts from manufacturing
Molecular Weight: 543.89 g/mol
EINECS Number: 201-236-9
Relevant Components: Pure compound in most applications; flame retardant masterbatches may blend other brominated substances, but standard MSDS focuses on pure TBBPA.
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air, keep comfortable for breathing, seek medical attention if symptoms develop (coughing, throat irritation, difficulty breathing).
Ingestion: Rinse mouth thoroughly with water, do not induce vomiting, seek medical advice, provide Material Safety Data Sheet to medical provider.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, wash skin thoroughly with soap and water, seek medical advice if irritation develops.
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes gently with water for 15 minutes, keeping eyelids open, remove contact lenses if present and easy to do, consult a physician.
Advice for Physicians: Treat symptoms, monitor for respiratory distress. If large amounts inhaled or ingested, consider observation for delayed pulmonary or systemic effects.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, foam, dry chemical, carbon dioxide
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Direct water jet may spread burning material
Special Hazards from Combustion: HBr gas, brominated dioxins and furans, carbon oxides, phenolic compounds
Protective Equipment: Full protective gear including self-contained breathing apparatus to minimize inhalation of toxic decomposition products
Firefighting Instructions: Stay upwind of fire, avoid runoff from firefighting entering water systems, contain and spray from a safe distance
Specific Hazards: Toxic and corrosive gases released at high temperatures
Personal Precautions: Avoid breathing dust or contact with skin and eyes, wear suitable protective gear (sealed goggles, gloves, particulate respirator)
Environmental Precautions: Prevent from entering soil, drains, or waterways due to persistence and bioaccumulation risks
Cleanup Methods: Contain spill by use of non-sparking tools, scoop up solid material, place in approved, labeled containers for disposal; ventilate area, avoid generating powder, decontaminate area with water and detergent solution.
Emergency Procedures: Restrict area access to authorized personnel, notify proper authorities per local environmental protection guidelines.
Handling: Work with adequate ventilation, minimize dust generation, avoid eating, drinking, smoking in work area; wear fitted personal protection; wash hands thoroughly after handling
Storage Conditions: Store in tightly sealed containers, keep in cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from incompatible chemicals, out of reach of children or untrained workers, no food or drink nearby
Storage Temperature: Room temperature; avoid direct sunlight and sources of ignition
Packaging Materials: Use polyethylene-lined fiber drums, high-density polyethylene containers, or other chemical-resistant materials.
Exposure Limits: No established occupational exposure limits in many jurisdictions, general nuisance dust limits of 10 mg/m3 (inhalable) may apply
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation, dust collection systems, or enclosures to control airborne particles
Respiratory Protection: NIOSH-approved dust respirators, particularly for operations producing dust or working in confined spaces
Eye Protection: Safety goggles or face shield
Skin Protection: Impervious gloves (nitrile, neoprene), long-sleeved clothing or protective suits
Workplace Hygiene: Clean hands after handling, remove contaminated clothing, maintain clean work environment, provide eye wash stations and emergency showers
Appearance: Off-white crystalline powder
Odor: Odorless
Odor Threshold: Not available
pH: 6.0 – 7.5 (slurry in water)
Melting Point/Freezing Point: 178–184°C
Boiling Point/Range: Decomposes before boiling
Flash Point: Not flammable under normal conditions
Evaporation Rate: Not applicable
Flammability: Not easily ignited
Vapor Pressure: <1 x 10-6 mmHg (25°C)
Vapor Density: Not applicable
Solubility: Insoluble in water, soluble in organic solvents such as acetone, methanol, chloroform
Partition Coefficient (log Kow): Estimated 4.5–5.9
Autoignition Temperature: Not self-heating
Decomposition Temperature: >240°C
Viscosity: Not applicable (solid material)
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal conditions, strong stability in most storage environments
Possibility of Hazardous Reactions: May react with strong oxidizers, decomposes at high temperatures releasing toxic gases
Conditions to Avoid: Excessive heat, flames, incompatible chemicals, moisture
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids, strong bases, oxidizing agents
Decomposition Products: Hydrogen bromide, brominated dioxins and furans, other halogenated compounds
Polymerization: Does not undergo dangerous polymerization
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat): >5000 mg/kg
Skin Sensitization: Possible irritation. No evidence for sensitization in animal studies.
Eye Irritation: Causes eye irritation in animal models
Respiratory Effects: Short-term inhalation may provoke respiratory tract irritation. Symptoms: coughing, sneezing, chest discomfort.
Chronic Effects: Reports suggest impact on thyroid hormone levels and possible liver effects after long-term exposure
Genotoxicity/Carcinogenicity: Not classified as carcinogenic by IARC, US EPA, or EU REACH, though studies continue. Some rodent studies note adverse reproductive and developmental impacts.
Mutagenicity: Negative in various bacterial and cell mutation tests
Reproductive Toxicity: Animal studies suggest altered fetal development at high exposures
Other Information: Persistent in the body and environment, potential for bioaccumulation over time
Aquatic Toxicity: Hazardous to aquatic organisms; LC50 (fish, 96 hr): 0.51 mg/L; EC50 (daphnia, 48 hr): 0.9 mg/L
Persistence and Degradability: Not readily biodegradable, remains in soil and sediment for long timeframes
Bioaccumulation Potential: High potential. Log Kow indicates risk for uptake by aquatic and terrestrial organisms.
Other Adverse Effects: Degradation products may show increased toxicity, especially under UV or incineration
Mobility in Soil: Low due to high molecular weight and low water solubility
Additional Info: Firms producing electronics or plastics should monitor compliance with regulations limiting persistent organic pollutants, foster responsible sourcing, and support waste minimization initiatives
Waste Handling: Collect and place in tightly closed, labeled containers; avoid dust
Disposal Method: Send to licensed hazardous waste treatment or incineration facility with appropriate air emission controls
Contaminated Packaging: Dispose of containers as hazardous waste unless thoroughly cleaned and certified for reuse
Local Regulations: Follow requirements established by municipal, state, national, and international regulations. Some regions classify TBBPA as hazardous or restricted waste
Prevention: Limit waste generation at source, recover unused product for recycling, and implement spill prevention and response policies
UN Number: Not regulated as dangerous goods for most land, air, or sea transport
Proper Shipping Name: Tetrabromobisphenol A
Transport Hazard Class: Not classified as hazardous by DOT, IATA, IMDG
Packing Group: Not assigned
Environmental Hazards: Persistent organic pollutant concerns may prompt additional transport labeling in some jurisdictions
Special Precautions: Handle as industrial chemical, prevent container breakage and spillage during shipment
Emergency Response Guide Number: Not assigned. Reference local chemical safety guides.
U.S. Status: Listed under TSCA; not subject to specific SARA Title III or CERCLA reporting, may be subject to state-level restrictions (e.g., California Proposition 65 vigilance)
EU REACH: Registered as a substance of very high concern due to possible endocrine-disrupting properties; restrictions may apply for certain consumer products
International: Included on safety and restriction lists in major markets (Japan, South Korea, China, Australia). Many nations promote reduced usage in favor of safer alternatives, notably in electronics for RoHS-compliance.
Worker Safety: OSHA and EU workplace directives require hazard communication, risk assessment, annual training, provision of personal protective equipment, and periodic exposure monitoring
Labelling: GHS pictograms, warning statements, hazard codes must appear on shipping labels and storage areas
Community Right to Know: Safety data shared with local health, fire, and environmental authorities supporting transparency and rapid emergency response
